IGP cautions Nigerians against indiscriminate recording of police operations

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has warned content creators, social media users and members of the public against the indiscriminate recording and sharing of police-related videos, saying such actions could compromise security operations and affect officers’ morale.

Speaking during an interactive session with crime correspondents in Abuja, Disu expressed concern over what he described as the growing trend of recording police officers during routine and sensitive operations and publishing 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.

The police chief noted that while the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to accountability, transparency and respect for human rights, public scrutiny must be balanced with operational realities and the welfare of officers. According to him, police personnel continue to make significant sacrifices in carrying out their duties and should not be subjected to actions capable of discouraging them.

“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 cautioned against the circulation of old, misleading or manipulated videos falsely presented as recent incidents, warning that such content can fuel misinformation and create unnecessary public anxiety.

“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 IGP acknowledged the increasing demands of policing, noting that officers often work long hours under difficult operational conditions across the country.

He reiterated the Force’s commitment to tackling misconduct within its ranks, assuring Nigerians that officers found guilty of wrongdoing would continue to 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 assured Nigerians of continued collaboration between the police and the media to strengthen public trust, transparency and effective communication on security matters.

Earlier, Festus Fifen called for closer cooperation between journalists and the police, stressing the importance of timely access to credible information during security incidents to prevent misinformation and speculation