The Nigeria Police Force has stated that citizens have the right to video and take photos of police officers on duty.
Force Public Relations Officer, Muyiwa Adejobi, revealed 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.”
Sir, is it a crime to video during stop and search because I had to pay #10,000 for those officers to give me back my phone after taking it forcefully from me just now
— badBoyRiri 🇳🇬 (@Boy_Cyril) December 14, 2023
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.
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. Thanks https://t.co/MKmRApRWaS
— Prince Olumuyiwa Adejobi (@Princemoye1) December 14, 2023
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.”
Good to know