The Nigeria Police Force has affirmed that citizens have the right to record videos of police officers while they are on duty.
Force Spokesperson, Assistant Commissioner of Police Olumuyiwa Adejobi, stated this in response to an X user, #Boy_Cyril, who reported being extorted by police officers for recording them during a stop-and-search operation.
#Boy_Cyril wrote: “Sir, is it a crime to video during stop and search because I had to pay N10,000 for those officers to give me back my phone after taking it forcefully from me just now.”
Addressing the issue, Adejobi stressed that filming or photographing police officers in the line of duty is not an offence.
In his response, Adejobi said: “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 our email box, Pressforabuja@police.gov.ng. You can also talk to your PPRO.
“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 any of them telling you he’s not aware?
“They all know. It’s like a case of a criminal who knows committing crimes is criminal and punishable, yet he does it until he’s caught.”