The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has urged Nigerians to allow police officers to concentrate on their duties, warning that indiscriminate recording and circulation of police videos could undermine security operations and demoralise personnel.
Disu made the appeal amid growing concerns over the increasing practice of members of the public and content creators recording police officers during arrests, routine patrols and other security operations.
The police chief said while accountability and transparency remained important, members of the public should exercise responsibility when recording or sharing videos involving police personnel.
According to him, police officers operate under difficult and sometimes dangerous conditions and should not be subjected to actions capable of discouraging them from carrying out their responsibilities.
“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,” Disu said.
He stressed that police personnel frequently risk their lives while protecting citizens and maintaining public order, urging Nigerians to recognise the sacrifices involved in policing.
The IGP also expressed concern over the circulation of old, misleading or manipulated videos presented as recent incidents.
He said such content could create unnecessary panic, damage public confidence in security institutions and undermine ongoing efforts to maintain national security.
Disu therefore urged social media users and content creators to verify the authenticity and context of police-related videos before publishing or circulating them.
The police chief, however, reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to accountability, transparency and respect for citizens’ rights.
He said officers accused of misconduct would continue to face disciplinary measures in accordance 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,” Disu said.
He added that officers carrying out lawful duties must equally be protected from harassment, intimidation and deliberate misinformation.
The IGP’s comments come against the backdrop of heightened public scrutiny of police activities across Nigeria, with smartphones and social media increasingly being used by citizens to document encounters with law enforcement officers.
Videos recorded by members of the public have, in several cases, drawn attention to allegations of police harassment, extortion, brutality and abuse of office.
In May 2026, the Force Headquarters ordered disciplinary action against an Assistant Superintendent of Police, Newton Isokpehi, after a viral video showed him threatening members of the public who were recording police activities.
The Nigeria Police Force subsequently clarified that members of the public have the right to lawfully record police officers performing their duties, provided such recording does not obstruct police operations, compromise safety or interfere with lawful activities.
That position underscores the delicate balance between police operational effectiveness and citizens’ right to document public officials performing their duties.
Disu, however, maintained that the police require the cooperation of citizens to effectively confront the country’s security challenges.
He said policing had become increasingly demanding, with officers working long hours and operating under significant pressure in different parts of the country.
The IGP called for stronger cooperation between the police, the media and members of the public, stressing that responsible engagement would help strengthen public confidence in the Force.
He also assured Nigerians that the police would continue to engage with the media and other stakeholders to provide accurate information and prevent speculation during security incidents.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Crime Correspondents Association of Nigeria, Festus Fifen, called for closer collaboration between journalists and the police.
Fifen stressed the need for timely access to credible information during security incidents, noting that accurate information would help reduce misinformation and speculation.
The IGP’s appeal has nevertheless reopened a wider debate about police accountability in the digital age, where virtually every citizen has the capacity to record and instantly publish events.
While the police insist that officers need operational space to perform their duties effectively, citizens and civil society groups argue that independent recording can serve as an important safeguard against misconduct.
The challenge, therefore, remains finding a balance between allowing officers to carry out legitimate security operations without interference and ensuring that citizens can document alleged misconduct when it occurs.
The Nigeria Police Force has urged Nigerians to work with officers rather than against them, while assuring the public that legitimate complaints against personnel will continue to receive attention.
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