The Nigeria Police Force has explained that Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, does not object to citizens recording police officers, but is concerned about the improper use of such recordings.
The Force New Media Officer, Aliyu Giwa, made the clarification in a series of posts on X on Saturday, following public reactions to recent comments by the IGP about Nigerians filming police officers.
Giwa said Disu’s comments had been misunderstood, noting that the police were not attempting to prevent accountability or restrict citizens’ rights.
“The IGP’s concern is not to shield Police officers from accountability or deny citizens their rights. Instead, it focuses on the misuse of recordings, especially when officers are provoked, ridiculed, filmed for entertainment, or subjected to unnecessary intrusion while performing their duties,” Giwa said.
He explained that responsible documentation should be separated from intentionally turning encounters with police officers into social media content.
“It is important to distinguish between responsible documentation and the deliberate exploitation of Police encounters for social media content,” he said.
According to Giwa, appropriate recordings can provide protection for both members of the public and police officers.
“As a public institution, the Police must remain open to legitimate scrutiny. Evidence is essential when an officer acts improperly. Similarly, responsible recording can protect officers from false allegations and support investigations,” he said.
However, he stressed that police officers also retain basic rights to dignity and privacy despite wearing uniforms.
“However, wearing the uniform does not remove an officer’s right to dignity or privacy,” Giwa said.
The clarification followed criticism from an X user who questioned the IGP’s position and suggested that police officers should be equipped with body cameras if the Force was uncomfortable with citizens recording them.
Giwa responded that Disu had not opposed the recording of police officers as a general practice.
“While you are allowed to interpret it as you see fit, the message from the IGP was concerning the misuse of recordings, not a general rejection of legitimate documentation or accountability,” he said.
He further disclosed that body cameras were being considered as part of efforts to promote accountable policing.
“Body cameras are, in fact, part of the broader conversation about modern, accountable policing, and they can protect both citizens and officers,” he said.
Giwa called for a constructive conversation on the issue, urging Nigerians to avoid insults and noting that both sides ultimately want improved policing and public safety.
“The police need to be accountable and citizens should exercise their rights in a responsible way, we can have that discussion without using insults. The end aim is the same, a more professional Police Force and a safer Nigeria,” he said.
He also rejected the idea that the matter should be viewed as a dispute between the police and the public or between the IGP and the Nigerian Bar Association.
“Therefore, the conversation should not be framed as Police versus the public or the IGP versus the NBA,” he said.
“Instead, it should focus on balancing accountability with responsibility, transparency with privacy, and citizens’ rights with the professional discharge of Police duties,” he added.
The clarification came after a recent courtesy visit by NBA leaders to Disu at the Force Headquarters in Abuja, where the recording of police officers was among the issues discussed.
During the meeting, Disu had expressed concern about Nigerians recording police officers, particularly when the footage is used for social media skits, describing the practice as “very, very demoralising” for members of the Force.
The IGP nevertheless recognised the right of citizens to record police officers while they are carrying out their duties in public.
“We are not saying they cannot exercise their rights of recording officers in the public places while doing their jobs,” Disu said.
“But they should put restraints and not turn our police officers to content for their skits or anything,” he added.
His comments generated criticism from lawyers, human rights organisations and other Nigerians, some of whom argued that citizens have a constitutional right to document police officers performing their duties in public.
NBA President, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, had similarly argued that legitimate documentation of police activities should be distinguished from invading officers’ private lives.
The debate also came after a March 17 judgment by the Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, which affirmed Nigerians’ right to record police officers while they perform their duties in public.
Giwa said the meeting between the IGP and NBA leadership showed that institutions could hold different views while still engaging productively.
“The engagement between the IGP and NBA leadership demonstrates that strong institutions can engage constructively, clarify positions, and collaborate despite differing perspectives,” he said.
He urged both the police and the public to embrace responsible use of technology rather than viewing cameras as a threat.
“In the digital age, the solution is not to fear the camera. Instead, we should use technology responsibly, uphold professionalism, and let truth, rather than social media narratives, define the conversation,” Giwa said.
“The camera should not weaken the institution. Also, institutions should not fear legitimate scrutiny. Both must ultimately serve the truth, justice, and the Nigerian people,” he added.
