The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has cautioned members of the public against the misuse of police-related video content, warning that indiscriminate recordings and the circulation of misleading footage could undermine officers' morale and distort public perception of the force.
Disu made the remarks during an interactive session with members of the Crime Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CCAN) at the Police Resource Centre in Abuja over the weekend.
The police chief stressed that while accountability and transparency remain important, recordings and public engagements involving police personnel must be conducted responsibly and should not be used to harass officers or compromise operational effectiveness.
"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.
The IGP expressed concern over the increasing trend of recording officers during routine and sensitive operations, noting that such actions could negatively affect morale at a time when security personnel are facing multiple security challenges across the country.
"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.
Disu also warned against the circulation of old or manipulated videos falsely portrayed as recent incidents, describing the practice as a source of 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 IGP further revealed that policing in Nigeria has become increasingly demanding, with officers working extended hours under difficult operational conditions.
"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 disclosed.
He called for greater public understanding and support for police officers, emphasizing the sacrifices they make daily in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities.
0 Comments
DISCLAIMER
The views and opinions expressed on this platform as comments were freely made by each person under his or her own volition or responsibility and were neither suggested nor dictated by the owners of News PLATFORM or any of their contracted staff. So we take no liability whatsoever for such comments.
Please take note!