Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has appealed to Nigerians to exercise restraint when recording police officers while they are on duty, saying the growing practice of turning officers into social media content is demoralising.

Disu made the call in Abuja during a meeting with the President of the Nigerian Bar Association, Oyinkansola Badejo-Okusanya, and members of the NBA executive committee.

The police chief said a recent court judgment concerning the recording of police officers had raised concerns within the Force, with more members of the public subsequently using their phones to film officers in different locations.

He noted that the practice had gone beyond documenting police activities in public, alleging that some officers were being recorded even while eating in restaurants.

Disu acknowledged that Nigerians have the right to record police officers performing their duties in public places. However, he urged citizens to exercise the right responsibly and avoid using such footage to ridicule officers or create entertainment content.

He also highlighted the difficult conditions faced by police personnel deployed to checkpoints, highways and isolated areas, where officers often work for extended periods while dealing with security risks.

The IGP appealed to Nigerians to recognise the demanding nature of police work and avoid actions that could undermine officers’ morale while they carry out their responsibilities.

The NBA president, however, stressed the importance of maintaining a balance between officers’ privacy and the public’s right to transparency and accountability when police are performing their lawful duties.