The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has prohibited police officers from creating or monetising content on social media platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube while identifying themselves as members of the Nigeria Police Force, warning that violators risk dismissal, demotion, salary forfeiture and possible prosecution.
According to an internal police circular dated Monday and reported by SaharaReporters, the directive was issued to all police formations and commands nationwide.
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The circular, signed by the Principal Staff Officer to the IGP, described the growing involvement of officers in social media content creation as a disturbing trend that could undermine the force’s image and operational effectiveness.
The directive prohibits officers from creating, publishing or sharing videos, photographs, skits, live streams or similar content in police uniforms or on police premises without written approval from the IGP or an authorised representative.
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It also bars officers from operating personal or anonymous social media accounts for entertainment, brand promotion, or commercial activities linked to their status as police personnel, as well as from commenting publicly on police investigations, disciplinary matters, deployments, or other official issues.
The IGP further directed that officers must not accept sponsorships, endorsement deals or monetisation arrangements arising from content that exploits their identity as police officers.
“The Nigeria Police Force is a disciplined institution whose effectiveness depends on public trust, institutional integrity, and the professional conduct of every officer,” the circular stated.
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Mr Disu warned that erring officers could face immediate interdiction, forfeiture of salary during disciplinary proceedings, reduction in rank, dismissal from service and prosecution under relevant criminal or cybercrime laws where applicable.
The circular also introduced a supervisory accountability framework under which commissioners of police, area commanders, divisional police officers, and other senior officers could face sanctions if they failed to monitor and discipline subordinates who violated the policy.
State commissioners of police were directed to disseminate the order to all personnel within seven days and submit compliance reports through the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations within 14 days.
The directive comes less than a month after Mr Disu cautioned content creators and members of the public against the indiscriminate recording and circulation of police-related videos.
Speaking during an interactive session with crime correspondents in Abuja on 31 May 2026, the police chief said the recording and online publication of police operations without proper context could undermine security efforts and demoralise officers.
“We urge members of the public and social media users to refrain from recycling old or manipulated videos capable of creating panic or undermining national security efforts,” he said at the time.
The latest order also echoes a similar policy introduced by former Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu on 17 June 2020.
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Under that directive, police personnel were prohibited from using photographs of themselves in uniform on personal social media accounts and from engaging in posts or discussions considered political, religious or capable of bringing the force into disrepute.
The 2020 policy further barred most officers from identifying themselves as police personnel on social media platforms, except designated spokespersons and senior officers authorised to communicate on behalf of the force.
The new directive signals a renewed effort by the police leadership to tighten control over officers’ online activities amid the growing influence of social media in public discourse and law enforcement accountability.
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