Nigerians Are Free To Video, Take Photos Of Police Officers On Duty, Says Force PRO

The Nigeria Police Force has said that citizens have the right to video and take photos of police officers on duty.

Adejobi, who said this on Thursday while responding to an X (formerly Twitter) user who said some police officers extorted N10,000 from him for videoing them during a stop-and-search operation, emphasised that it is not an offence to video or take photos of police officers on duty.

The X user, @Boy_Cyril wrote on his handle, “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.”

In his response, the Force spokesperson, ACP Olumuyiwa Adejobi said that the police had announced several times that there is nothing wrong with Nigerians taking photos or videoing police officers on duty.

He added that anyone who is harassed by any police officer for videoing or taking photos should report the case to the police authority.

He 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 to our email box, Pressforabuja@police.gov.ng. you can as well talk to your PPRO.”

Adejobi said, “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. It’s like a case of a criminal who knows committing crimes is criminal and punishable, yet he does it until he’s caught.”