Nothing wrong with filming officers on duty, say police

Muyiwa Adejobi, spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force, says there is nothing wrong with taking pictures or videos of police officers on duty.

Adejobi added that every police officer in Nigeria knows that citizens are permitted to take their pictures or record them while they are on duty.

Responding to a question from an X user, the force spokesperson said police officers who attack citizens for recording them while on duty are “unprofessional and deviants”.

“You can video or take pictures of policemen on duty. We have said it severally (sic),” Adejobi wrote.

“There is nothing wrong with that. You can take up the case. Send an sms to me or to our email box, [email protected].

“Every policeman knows that videoing and taking pictures of them on duty is allowed and permitted.

“Those who attack or harass people for such are just deviants and recalcitrant and unprofessional. Or have you seen anyone of them telling you he’s not aware? They all know.”

You can video or take pictures of policemen on duty. We have said it severally. There is nothing wrong with that. You can take up the case. Send an sms to me or to our email box, [email protected]. you can as well talk to your PPRO. Thanks https://t.co/MKmRApRWaS

— Prince Olumuyiwa Adejobi (@Princemoye1) December 14, 2023

There have been several reports of police officers assaulting citizens who were recording them with mobile gadgets.

In 2021, officers of the Lagos police command arrested and detained Tunde Abass, a resident, for filming police officers who were harassing a driver.

After the incident, Hakeem Odumosu, then Lagos commissioner of police, redeployed Francis Ani, the divisional police officer of Onipanu, and other officers over unprofessional conduct.