The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has cautioned content creators, social media users, and members of the public against indiscriminate recording and sharing of police-related videos, warning that such actions could compromise security operations and undermine officers’ morale.
Speaking during an interactive session with crime correspondents in Abuja, Disu expressed concern over the growing trend of recording police officers during routine and sensitive operations and uploading the footage online without proper context.
He noted that while accountability and transparency remain important, such recordings must be done responsibly and should not be used to harass officers or disrupt operational effectiveness.
“Yes, accountability is important, and we remain committed to transparency. However, recordings and public engagements involving police officers must be done responsibly,” he said.
The police chief stressed that personnel of the Nigeria Police Force operate under difficult and often dangerous conditions, adding that they should not be subjected to actions that could discourage them from performing their duties.
According to him, officers risk their lives daily to maintain public safety, and public commentary or media coverage should reflect an understanding of these realities.
Disu also warned against the circulation of old, misleading, or edited videos being passed off as recent incidents, noting that such content can fuel misinformation and unnecessary panic.
“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,” he said.
He reaffirmed the Force’s commitment to addressing misconduct within its ranks, assuring Nigerians that officers found guilty of wrongdoing would continue to face disciplinary action.
At the same time, he called for stronger collaboration between the police and the media to enhance transparency, trust, and timely dissemination of accurate information during security-related incidents.