IGP Bans Police Officers From Monetising Social Media Content in Uniform

(Olatunji Disu. Photo by ICIR Nigeria)

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has barred police officers from creating or monetising content on social media platforms while identifying themselves as members of the Nigeria Police Force, warning that violators risk dismissal, demotion, salary forfeiture and possible prosecution.

An internal police circular dated Monday, made available online, indicated that the directive was addressed to all police formations and commands across the country.

The circular, signed by the Principal Staff Officer to the IGP, described the growing involvement of officers in social media content creation as a disturbing trend capable of undermining the force's image and operational effectiveness.

Under the directive, officers are prohibited from creating, publishing or sharing videos, photographs, skits, live streams or similar content in police uniforms or on police premises without written approval from the IGP or an authorised representative.

They are equally barred from operating personal or anonymous social media accounts for entertainment, brand promotion, or commercial activities tied to their status as police personnel, and from making public comments on police investigations, disciplinary matters, deployments or other official issues.

The IGP further directed that officers must not accept sponsorships, endorsement deals or monetisation arrangements arising from content that exploits their identity as police officers.

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

Disu warned that erring officers could face immediate interdiction, salary forfeiture during disciplinary proceedings, reduction in rank, dismissal from service and prosecution under relevant criminal or cybercrime laws where applicable.

The circular also introduced a supervisory accountability framework under which commissioners of police, area commanders, divisional police officers and other senior officers could face sanctions for failing to monitor and discipline subordinates who breach the policy.

State commissioners of police were directed to disseminate the order to all personnel within seven days and submit compliance reports through the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations within 14 days.

The directive comes less than a month after Disu cautioned content creators and members of the public against the indiscriminate recording and circulation of police-related videos.

Speaking during an interactive session with crime correspondents in Abuja on May 31, 2026, the police chief said the recording and online publication of police operations without proper context could undermine security efforts and demoralise officers.

The latest order also echoes a similar policy introduced by former Inspector-General of Police Mohammed Adamu on June 17, 2020, under which police personnel were prohibited from using photographs of themselves in uniform on personal social media accounts and from engaging in posts or discussions considered political, religious or capable of bringing the force into disrepute.

That directive further barred most officers from identifying themselves as police personnel on social media, except designated spokespersons and senior officers authorised to speak on behalf of the force.

The new directive signals a renewed effort by the police leadership to tighten control over officers' online activities amid the growing influence of social media in public discourse and law enforcement accountability.