By Opeyemi Adelakun
The Nigeria Police Force has clarified that Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has not prohibited Nigerians from recording police officers while they carry out their duties in public.
The Force New Media Officer, Aliyu Giwa, made the clarification on Saturday following reactions to recent comments by Disu concerning the filming of police officers.
Giwa said the IGP’s position was aimed at addressing the misuse of recordings rather than preventing citizens from documenting police activities or shielding officers from accountability.
“The IGP’s concern is not to shield Police officers from accountability or deny citizens their rights. Instead, it focuses on the misuse of recordings, especially when officers are provoked, ridiculed, filmed for entertainment, or subjected to unnecessary intrusion while performing their duties,” Giwa said in posts on X.
He explained that responsible recording could serve the interests of both citizens and police officers, particularly when video evidence is required to establish what transpired during an encounter.
“As a public institution, the Police must remain open to legitimate scrutiny. Evidence is essential when an officer acts improperly. Similarly, responsible recording can protect officers from false allegations and support investigations,” he added.
Giwa, however, stressed that police officers retain their rights to dignity and privacy despite being public officials.
“However, wearing the uniform does not remove an officer’s right to dignity or privacy,” he said.
His comments followed a social media exchange in which an X user questioned the IGP’s position and suggested that police officers should instead be provided with body cameras.
Giwa said Disu had not issued any blanket restriction on recording police officers.
“While you are allowed to interpret it as you see fit, the message from the IGP was concerning the misuse of recordings, not a general rejection of legitimate documentation or accountability,” he stated.
He also disclosed that body cameras were being considered as part of efforts to modernise policing.
“Body cameras are, in fact, part of the broader conversation about modern, accountable policing, and they can protect both citizens and officers,” Giwa said.
Police, Citizens Urged To Strike Balance
Giwa urged Nigerians to approach the matter without turning it into a confrontation between the police and the public.
He said citizens should exercise their rights responsibly, while police officers must remain professional and accountable in the discharge of their duties.
“The police need to be accountable and citizens should exercise their rights in a responsible way, we can have that discussion without using insults. The end aim is the same, a more professional Police Force and a safer Nigeria,” he said.
He also rejected attempts to portray the disagreement as a dispute between Disu and the Nigerian Bar Association, saying the focus should instead be on balancing competing interests.
“Instead, it should focus on balancing accountability with responsibility, transparency with privacy, and citizens’ rights with the professional discharge of Police duties,” Giwa added.
The clarification followed a recent meeting between NBA leaders and the police leadership at Force Headquarters in Abuja, where the issue of recording officers was discussed.
During the engagement, Disu raised concerns about officers being filmed and subsequently used as subjects in social media skits. He nevertheless acknowledged citizens’ right to record officers performing their duties in public, while urging them not to misuse such footage.
“We are not saying they cannot exercise their rights of recording officers in the public places while doing their jobs,” Disu said.
“But they should put restraints and not turn our police officers to content for their skits or anything.”
NBA President, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, also called for a distinction between legitimate documentation of police activities and intrusion into officers’ private lives.
The debate comes against the backdrop of a March 17 judgment of the Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, which affirmed Nigerians’ right to record police officers while performing their duties in public.
Giwa said the engagement between the police and NBA demonstrated that disagreements over policing could be addressed through dialogue.
“The engagement between the IGP and NBA leadership demonstrates that strong institutions can engage constructively, clarify positions, and collaborate despite differing perspectives,” he said.
He urged Nigerians and law enforcement agencies to regard technology as a tool for accountability rather than a threat.
“In the digital age, the solution is not to fear the camera. Instead, we should use technology responsibly, uphold professionalism, and let truth, rather than social media narratives, define the conversation,” Giwa stated.
“The camera should not weaken the institution. Also, institutions should not fear legitimate scrutiny. Both must ultimately serve the truth, justice, and the Nigerian people.”
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