The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has appealed to Nigerians to exercise restraint when recording and circulating videos involving police personnel, saying the growing trend could have unintended consequences for security operations.
Speaking at a meeting with crime reporters in Abuja, the police chief expressed concern over the increasing practice of filming officers during official assignments and posting the footage online without adequate explanation or context.
Disu acknowledged the importance of accountability in law enforcement but stressed that public interactions with police officers should not obstruct their duties or expose sensitive operations.
“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.”
According to him, officers frequently work in difficult and high-risk environments to protect lives and property and deserve public support rather than actions that could discourage them from carrying out their responsibilities.
“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The IGP also condemned the spread of misleading content online, particularly the reposting of outdated or altered videos falsely presented as current events. He warned that such material could trigger panic, misinform the public and undermine 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.
Disu maintained that the police would continue to sanction officers found guilty of misconduct, insisting that accountability remains a core principle of the Force.
“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.
He reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to building stronger ties with the media and the public through open communication and greater transparency.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Crime Correspondents Association of Nigeria, Festus Fifen, called for improved cooperation between journalists and the police, noting that access to credible and timely information is essential in tackling misinformation during security incidents.
