IGP Bans Police Officers From TikTok, Facebook Content Creation, Warns Of Dismissal

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has banned officers of the Nigeria Police Force from creating, publishing, or monetising content on social media platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube when they identify as members of the force.

The directive, contained in an internal circular dated Monday and circulated to all police formations nationwide, warns that officers who violate the order risk dismissal, demotion, salary forfeiture, interdiction or prosecution under relevant laws.

According to the circular, the growing trend of police personnel engaging in online content creation especially while in uniform poses a threat to discipline, professionalism and the public image of the Nigeria Police Force.

The order prohibits officers from producing or sharing videos, photographs, skits, live streams or similar content in police uniform or within police premises without express written approval from the IGP or an authorised representative.

It further bars officers from operating personal or anonymous social media accounts for entertainment, brand promotion or commercial purposes that leverage their identity as law enforcement officers.

Officers are also restricted from commenting publicly on police investigations, internal disciplinary matters, deployments or other official operations.

The circular also specifically forbids officers from entering sponsorship deals, endorsements or any monetisation arrangements tied to their identity as members of the police force.

“The Nigeria Police Force is a disciplined institution whose effectiveness depends on public trust, institutional integrity and the professional conduct of every officer,” the directive stated.

The IGP warned that erring officers would face strict disciplinary action, including immediate interdiction, forfeiture of salary during investigations, reduction in rank, dismissal from service and possible prosecution where applicable.

The policy also introduces a supervisory accountability framework, under which senior officers, including commissioners of police, area commanders and divisional police officers will be held responsible if they fail to enforce compliance among their subordinates.

State commissioners of police have been directed to circulate the order to all personnel within seven days and submit compliance reports through the Deputy Inspector-General of Police (Operations) within 14 days.

The latest directive follows earlier warnings by the police leadership against the recording and circulation of police operations on social media without proper context, which the force says could undermine security efforts and demoralise officers.

It also echoes a similar policy introduced in 2020 under former Inspector-General Mohammed Adamu, which restricted officers from using their photographs in uniform on personal accounts and limited public online identification as police personnel to authorised spokespersons and senior officers.

The new order signals a renewed clampdown on the digital activities of officers, as authorities seek to tighten discipline and regulate the growing influence of social media within law enforcement operations.