The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has advised content creators, social media users and the general public to exercise caution when recording and sharing videos involving police officers, warning that such actions could negatively affect security operations and officer morale.
Speaking during an interactive session with crime correspondents in Abuja on Sunday, the police chief expressed concern over the increasing practice of filming officers during routine and sensitive assignments and posting the footage online without adequate context.
“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.
Disu noted that while the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to transparency, accountability and respect for human rights, public scrutiny should also take into account the realities of police work and the welfare of personnel.
According to him, officers often work under difficult conditions and make significant sacrifices to maintain public safety, adding that actions capable of discouraging dedicated personnel 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.
The IGP also raised concerns about the circulation of outdated or altered videos being presented as recent events, warning that such content can spread misinformation and create unnecessary fear among the public.
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“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.
Disu added that policing has become increasingly demanding, with personnel working long hours under intense pressure across different parts of the country.
He reassured Nigerians that the Force would continue to deal decisively with cases of misconduct involving officers, stressing that personnel found guilty of wrongdoing would face appropriate disciplinary measures.
“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.
The police boss further pledged continued collaboration with the media to strengthen public confidence, improve transparency and ensure effective communication on security-related matters.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Crime Correspondents Association of Nigeria, Festus Fifen, called for stronger cooperation between journalists and the police, emphasizing the importance of timely access to credible information during security incidents to curb misinformation and speculation.