The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has issued a strong warning to its officers, stressing that searching young people’s mobile phones without lawful justification is illegal.
In a circular distributed across commands, the police high command reminded operatives that citizens’ privacy is protected under the law, and any arbitrary search or seizure of phones amounts to a violation of fundamental human rights.
The directive follows growing public outcry and multiple reports of harassment, particularly of youths, by security personnel who unlawfully demand access to personal devices during routine checks.
Police authorities emphasized that only legally sanctioned investigations with valid court orders permit phone searches, and warned that any officer found violating this rule would face disciplinary measures.
The move is expected to restore public confidence in the Force, amid rising concerns about abuse of power and unlawful profiling of Nigerian youths.