Reported by Enock Damidami, Social Media Manager | Journalist at Sele Media Africa

The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has called on Nigerians to exercise responsibility when recording, sharing, and distributing police-related videos on social media, warning that the growing trend of using such content to harass, intimidate, or misrepresent police officers could undermine law enforcement efforts and public trust.
The police chief made the appeal amid increasing incidents in which videos involving police personnel have gone viral across various social media platforms, often generating intense public debate and, in some cases, leading to the harassment of officers involved before proper investigations are conducted.
According to the Inspector-General, while citizens have the constitutional right to document public activities and hold institutions accountable, such rights must be exercised responsibly and within the bounds of the law. He stressed that recording police operations is not prohibited, but cautioned against the deliberate manipulation, misrepresentation, or misuse of recorded content to incite public hostility against officers.
The IGP noted that social media has become a powerful tool for promoting transparency and accountability within public institutions, including the Nigeria Police Force. However, he warned that the same technology can be abused when videos are edited, taken out of context, or circulated with misleading captions capable of creating false narratives.
He emphasized that law enforcement officers often operate under challenging and complex circumstances that may not always be fully captured in short video clips. As a result, the public is encouraged to avoid rushing to conclusions based solely on limited footage without considering the broader context of an incident.
The warning comes at a time when the use of smartphones and social media platforms has made it easier for citizens to document interactions with security personnel. In many cases, such recordings have helped expose misconduct, abuse of power, and violations of human rights, leading to disciplinary measures against erring officers.
The Inspector-General acknowledged the positive role citizen-recorded videos have played in improving accountability within the police force. He stated that the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to transparency and welcomes constructive criticism aimed at strengthening professionalism and service delivery.
However, he expressed concern over what he described as a growing trend of online harassment directed at officers whose images, names, and personal information are sometimes shared without verification of the facts surrounding incidents. According to him, such actions can endanger officers and their families while also affecting ongoing investigations.
The police chief stressed that allegations of misconduct involving officers should be reported through established complaint channels, allowing relevant authorities to conduct impartial investigations and determine appropriate disciplinary actions where necessary.
He further warned against individuals who intentionally provoke confrontations with police personnel in order to create sensational content for social media engagement. Such actions, he said, can escalate tensions unnecessarily and interfere with legitimate law enforcement duties.
The IGP reiterated that the Nigeria Police Force is committed to respecting the rights and freedoms of all citizens, including freedom of expression and access to information. Nevertheless, he maintained that these freedoms must be exercised responsibly and should not be used as tools for harassment, defamation, or the spread of misinformation.
Security experts have increasingly raised concerns about the impact of misinformation on public confidence in institutions. They argue that while digital technology has enhanced transparency, it has also created opportunities for false narratives to spread rapidly before facts can be independently verified.
In recent years, viral videos involving police officers have sparked national conversations about policing standards, accountability, and public trust. Some incidents have led to disciplinary actions, criminal investigations, and policy reforms, while others were later found to have been inaccurately represented online.
The Inspector-General therefore urged citizens, media organizations, bloggers, and content creators to verify facts before publishing or sharing police-related content. He emphasized that responsible reporting and digital citizenship are essential for maintaining public confidence in both security institutions and the information ecosystem.
He also encouraged members of the public to continue cooperating with law enforcement agencies in efforts to combat crime and improve community safety. According to him, effective policing depends on mutual respect, trust, and collaboration between officers and the communities they serve.
The Nigeria Police Force has in recent years introduced several reforms aimed at improving professionalism, accountability, and public engagement. These measures include enhanced training programs, strengthened disciplinary mechanisms, community policing initiatives, and the establishment of channels through which citizens can report complaints against officers.
The IGP stated that these reforms demonstrate the force’s commitment to continuous improvement and responsiveness to public concerns. He assured Nigerians that legitimate complaints against officers would continue to be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly.
Observers note that the relationship between law enforcement agencies and the public has increasingly been shaped by digital media. While technology has empowered citizens to document events in real time, it has also heightened the need for responsible communication and ethical content sharing practices.
As social media continues to influence public discourse, experts believe striking a balance between accountability and fairness will remain an important challenge. They argue that transparency must be encouraged while ensuring that individuals, including police officers, are not unfairly condemned based on incomplete or misleading information.
The Inspector-General’s latest appeal reflects ongoing efforts by the Nigeria Police Force to promote responsible engagement between citizens and law enforcement personnel. By encouraging the ethical use of police-related videos and discouraging harassment, the force hopes to foster an environment where accountability, professionalism, and mutual respect can thrive.
Ultimately, the police leadership maintains that public scrutiny and constructive criticism are essential components of democratic governance. However, such scrutiny, the IGP argues, should be guided by accuracy, fairness, and respect for due process to ensure that justice is served and public trust is strengthened rather than weakened.

Sources
Nigeria Police Force, Punch Newspaper, Vanguard Newspaper, The Nation Newspaper, Channels Television.