On September 11, 2026, legal analyst and human rights advocate Inibehe Effiong challenged Inspector-General of Police Tunji Disu’s position that recording police officers during their duties could demoralise members of the force and turn them into subjects of social media skits.
Speaking during an appearance on Channels Television’s Morning Brief, Effiong pushed back against the warning, arguing that citizens have a constitutional right to document the activities of public officers, particularly when they are carrying out official duties.
Effiong referenced Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution, which guarantees the right to freedom of expression and the freedom to receive and impart information.
He also pointed to a recent Federal High Court ruling that affirmed the right of citizens to record police officers while they are performing their duties in public, including during activities such as stop-and-search operations.
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According to Effiong, the ability of citizens to record encounters with law enforcement is an important tool for promoting transparency and accountability. He maintained that documenting police interactions can provide evidence when allegations of misconduct arise and can help protect both members of the public and responsible police officers.
The exchange highlights the growing tension between concerns over police morale and the public’s demand for greater accountability from law enforcement agencies.
While police authorities have expressed concerns about officers being recorded and subsequently ridiculed online, rights advocates continue to argue that public officials must remain subject to scrutiny when performing their official duties.
The debate comes amid broader calls for improved relations between the police and the public, with accountability, transparency and respect for citizens’ rights remaining central issues in discussions about policing in Nigeria.
