The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has warned content creators, social media users and members of the public against the indiscriminate recording and circulation of videos involving police officers, saying such actions could compromise security operations and negatively affect the morale of personnel.
Speaking during an interactive session with crime correspondents in Abuja on Sunday, the police chief expressed concern over the growing trend of recording officers during routine and sensitive assignments and sharing the footage online without proper context.
Disu stressed that while the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to accountability, transparency and respect for human rights, public scrutiny must be exercised responsibly.
“Yes, accountability is important, and we remain committed to transparency. However, recordings and public engagements involving police officers must be done responsibly and should not be used to harass officers or undermine operational effectiveness,” he said.
The IGP noted that police officers often work under difficult and dangerous conditions, risking their lives daily to protect citizens and maintain public safety. He said actions capable of discouraging officers from carrying out their duties should be avoided.
“Police officers operate under extremely challenging conditions, often risking their lives to protect citizens and maintain public safety. It is important that public conduct and media coverage do not discourage officers who are committed to doing the right thing,” he stated.
Disu also raised concerns over the circulation of old, edited or misleading videos falsely presented as recent incidents, warning that such content fuels misinformation, creates unnecessary panic and undermines public confidence in security efforts.
“We urge members of the public and social media users to refrain from recycling old or manipulated videos capable of creating panic or undermining national security efforts. Such actions are harmful to the country’s image and stability,” he said.
The police boss acknowledged the increasing demands of modern policing, noting that officers across the country work long hours under intense pressure to combat crime and ensure public safety.
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He reassured Nigerians that the Force would continue to address misconduct among its personnel, maintaining that officers found guilty of wrongdoing would face disciplinary action in line with established laws and professional standards.
“We have consistently demonstrated our commitment to ending impunity within the Force, and we will continue to address complaints against personnel professionally and decisively. At the same time, officers carrying out lawful duties must also be protected from harassment and deliberate misinformation,” he added.
Disu further pledged continued collaboration between the police and the media to strengthen public trust, improve communication and promote transparency in security-related matters.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Crime Correspondents Association of Nigeria, Festus Fifen, called for closer cooperation between journalists and the police, emphasizing the importance of timely access to accurate information during security incidents to prevent misinformation and speculation.
