Odita Sunday 
By Odita Sunday
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, has called for caution and responsibility in the recording and circulation of police-related videos, warning that misuse of such content could affect police morale and ongoing security operations.
Disu spoke during an interactive session with members of the Crime Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CCAN) at the Police Resource Centre in Abuja.
He said while the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to accountability, transparency, and professionalism, there was a need to balance public scrutiny with operational realities faced by officers working under difficult conditions.
“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 indiscriminate recording of police officers during routine and sensitive operations, saying such actions could discourage personnel confronting security challenges nationwide.
He also condemned the circulation of old and misleading videos presented as recent incidents, noting that such content fuels misinformation and public panic.
“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,” he stated.
Disu disclosed that police officers now work under intense pressure and extended hours due to the growing security situation in the country.
“We no longer operate the conventional policing structure of morning, afternoon, and night shifts. Officers work virtually around the clock under very difficult circumstances,” he said.
According to him, the FCT Police Command lost about 140 officers last year through violent attacks, accidents, and other duty-related incidents.
The IGP reaffirmed the Force’s zero-tolerance stance against misconduct, assuring Nigerians that erring officers would continue to face disciplinary action.
Earlier, Chairman of the Crime Correspondents Association of Nigeria, Festus Fifen, called for stronger collaboration between the media and the police to promote responsible reporting and combat misinformation during security incidents.
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