The spokesman of the Nigeria Police Force, Mr Olumuyiwa Adejobi, has said citizens have the right to record police officers while they are on duty.
He said this while responding to an X user, #Boy_Cyril, who claimed that police officers had extorted him for filming them during a stop-and-search operation.
#Boy_Cyril tweeted, “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.”
Adejobi who addressed the issue noted that it is not illegal to record or take pictures of police operatives while on the line of duty.
The police spokesman 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.”
