Protests As IGP Defies Court And Warns Nigerians Not To Record Police Officers On Duty
In clear defiance of a recent court order, the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has issued a warning against the “indiscriminate” recording and circulation of videos depicting officers on duty.
Speaking during an interactive session with the Crime Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CCAN) in Abuja, Disu expressed concern that the misuse of such video materials could undermine officers’ morale, distort public perception, and negatively affect ongoing security operations across the country.
However, a landmark judgement by the Federal High Court sitting in Warri, Delta State, which affirmed the constitutional right of Nigerian citizens to record police officers performing their duties in public.
Justice Hyeladzira A. Nganjiwa, in the case of Maxwell Nosakhare Uwaifo v. I.G.P & Ors. delivered on March 17, 2026, held that recording police officers—whether by video, photograph, or audio—is protected under Chapter IV of the 1999 Constitution, emphasising transparency and accountability in law enforcement.
The court also declared that citizens might record officers without interference, reprisal, or confiscation of their devices, and ordered that police officers must wear visible name tags and force numbers, effectively banning anonymous policing.
Justice Nganjiwa further barred officers from intimidating, arresting, or seizing devices from citizens exercising this right.
He awarded N5 million in damages to the applicant for violation of his fundamental rights.
Reacting to Disu’s latest directive, Human Rights lawyer Deji Adeyanju has called on the IGP to immediately issue a nationwide directive ensuring strict compliance with the court’s ruling and to guarantee that officers respect the judgment nationwide.
Adeyanju noted that the court’s verdict remained binding, and any attempt to restrict citizens from documenting police conduct could face legal consequences.
“Yes, accountability is important, and we remain committed to transparency,” the IGP stated, while cautioning that recordings and public engagements involving police officers must be done responsibly and should not be used to harass officers or undermine their operational effectiveness.
The IGP noted that police personnel operate under extremely challenging conditions, often risking their lives to protect citizens, and therefore deserve public understanding and support rather than actions capable of discouraging them.
He warned against the circulation of old or manipulated videos falsely presented as recent incidents, describing such content as harmful to the country’s image and capable of fueling misinformation, public panic, and unnecessary tension within communities.
The IGP, on his part, reiterated the Force’s commitment to accountability and its zero-tolerance stance against impunity, assuring Nigerians that officers found guilty of misconduct will continue to face disciplinary action in line with established laws and professional standards.
He pledged sustained engagement between the police and the media to strengthen public trust, transparency, and effective communication on security matters.
