Police clarify IG’s position on Nigerians filming officers on duty

The Nigeria Police Force has clarified that Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, does not oppose Nigerians recording police officers while they are performing their official duties.

The clarification followed growing public debate over recent comments attributed to the police chief, with concerns raised that citizens could be prevented from filming officers during encounters.

Force New Media Officer, Aliyu Giwa, said Disu’s concern was not about legitimate documentation of police activities but the manner in which recordings are subsequently used.

In posts on X, Giwa said the police were not seeking to shield officers from accountability or deny citizens their rights.

“The IG’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,” he said.

Police support legitimate documentation

According to Giwa, there is an important distinction between recording an encounter with police officers as evidence and filming officers primarily for entertainment or ridicule on social media.

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He stressed that responsible documentation could serve the interests of both citizens and law enforcement officers.

“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,” Giwa said.

The clarification comes amid growing calls for greater transparency and accountability in policing, particularly through the use of technology and independent documentation of interactions between officers and members of the public.

Officers retain right to dignity, privacy

Giwa, however, said the authority granted to police officers to perform their duties does not strip them of their fundamental rights.

“However, wearing the uniform does not remove an officer’s right to dignity or privacy,” he said.

His comments followed a reaction from an X user who suggested that police officers should be equipped with body cameras to provide an independent record of official encounters.

Giwa said the Inspector-General had not rejected the idea of citizens legitimately recording police operations.

“While you are allowed to interpret it as you see fit, the message from the IG was concerning the misuse of recordings, not a general rejection of legitimate documentation or accountability,” he said.

Body cameras under consideration

The police spokesperson also confirmed that body-worn cameras are being considered as part of measures to strengthen accountable policing.

The proposed use of body cameras could provide an official record of interactions between officers and members of the public, potentially helping to resolve disputes over what occurred during police encounters.

The clarification effectively places the police position on recording within a broader balance between public accountability and the rights of officers to dignity and privacy.

The Force’s position is that citizens should be able to document police conduct for legitimate accountability purposes, while recordings should not be deliberately weaponised for harassment, ridicule or entertainment.