Force Says Disu Opposes Misuse of Recordings, Not Legitimate Documentation or Accountability
The Nigeria Police Force has clarified that Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu is not opposed to citizens recording police officers, but is concerned about the misuse of such recordings, particularly for social media content.
The Force New Media Officer, Aliyu Giwa, made the clarification in a series of posts on X on Saturday following controversy over the IGP’s recent comments on Nigerians filming police officers.
Giwa said Disu’s position had been misinterpreted, stressing that the police were not seeking to shield officers from accountability or deny citizens their rights.
He said responsible recordings could help both citizens and police officers, noting that evidence is important when officers act improperly and can also protect officers against false allegations.
However, Giwa maintained that police officers retain their right to dignity and privacy while performing their duties.
He distinguished between legitimate documentation and deliberately filming police encounters for entertainment or social media content.
The clarification followed criticism of Disu’s comments after a courtesy visit by the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA) leadership to the Force Headquarters in Abuja.
Disu had described the use of police officers in social media skits as “very, very demoralising,” while acknowledging that citizens have the right to record officers performing their duties in public.
The controversy also drew attention to a March 17 judgment of the Federal High Court in Warri, Delta State, which affirmed Nigerians’ right to record police officers while they perform their duties in public.
Giwa also disclosed that body cameras are being considered as part of broader discussions on accountable policing, saying the technology could protect both citizens and police officers.
He urged Nigerians to approach the issue constructively, saying the goal should be a more professional police force, greater accountability and a safer Nigeria.
“The camera should not weaken the institution. Also, institutions should not fear legitimate scrutiny,” Giwa said.