Monday, June 1, 2026 - The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has cautioned against the misuse of police-related video content, saying such materials could undermine officers’ morale and distort public perception.
The police chief made the appeal while speaking at the
Police Resource Centre, Abuja, during the weekend while interacting with
members of the Crime Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CCAN).
Disu said recordings and public engagements involving police
officers must be done responsibly and should not be used to harass officers.
According to him, police personnel continue to make enormous
sacrifices daily in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities 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,” IG said
He cautioned against the growing trend of indiscriminate
recording of officers during routine and sensitive activities, noting that such
actions could negatively impact morale at a time when security personnel are
confronting multiple 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,” he added
The IGP also expressed concerns over the circulation of old
and misleading videos falsely presented as recent incidents, stressing that
such content contributes to misinformation, public panic, and unnecessary
tension within communities.
“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 police boss disclosed that policing in Nigeria has
become increasingly demanding, with officers now working extended hours under
severe operational pressures.
“We no
longer operate the conventional policing structure of morning, afternoon, and
night shifts. Officers work virtually around the clock under very difficult
circumstances. Last year alone, the FCT Police Command lost about 140 officers
through violent attacks, accidents, and other duty-related incidents,” he
revealed
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