The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has cautioned against the indiscriminate recording and circulation of police-related video content, especially the filming of personnel on duty for content creation purposes.
IGP Disu stated this during an interactive session with members of the Crime Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CCAN) in Abuja, with the Force Management Team in attendance.
He expressed dismay over the misuse of police-related content, saying that such practices could undermine officers’ morale, distort public perception, and negatively affect ongoing security operations across the country.
The IGP also raised concerns over the circulation of old or misleading videos falsely presented as recent incidents, warning that such content fuels misinformation, public panic, and unnecessary tension within communities.
He said: “Members of the public should not distract police attention with all these video clips. We are trying our best to address the genuine ones, but what is happening now is that people are coming up with old video clips that happened a very long time ago. This is not acceptable.”
The IGP, who reaffirmed the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to accountability, transparency, professionalism and respect for human rights, stressed the need to balance public scrutiny with operational realities and the welfare of officers working in high-risk environments.
“Police personnel continue to make significant sacrifices in the discharge of their constitutional duties and deserve public understanding and support. 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.
He cautioned against the growing trend of indiscriminate recording of officers during routine and sensitive operations, noting that such behaviour could further affect morale amid rising security challenges nationwide.
”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.”
Speaking earlier, the chairman of the Crime Correspondents Association of Nigeria, Mr. Festus Fifen, reaffirmed the commitment of crime correspondents to responsible journalism and national security support.
“We are no longer just reporting violence; we are part of a system working towards building a safer society, we are all the citizens of this country, and we don’t have another country than Nigeria,” he said.
Fifen called for improved collaboration between the police and the media, particularly in ensuring timely access to credible information during security incidents to curb misinformation and speculation.
He assured the police leadership that crime correspondents remained committed partners in promoting peace, security, and national development.
- Media Report