Past incidents of police brutality in Nigeria, combined with the widespread use of smartphones and wearable technology, have made it increasingly common for citizens to record police officers on duty, particularly during stop-and-search operations.
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A recent video circulating on social media, especially X (formerly Twitter), captures a tense encounter between a Nigerian Police Force (NPF) officer and a young driver in Lagos.
In the clip, the officer stopped the vehicle to check its particulars. The driver responded by putting on smart glasses equipped with a camera before opening the car’s safe to retrieve the documents.
The officer reacted violently, stretching his hands into the vehicle to remove the glasses. The driver repeatedly questioned the officer, asking: “Why are you hitting me? What have I done wrong? Why are you touching me?” and insisting, “I’m not ‘cameraing’ the police. I bought my glasses; can’t I wear them?”
The altercation escalated before the recording abruptly stopped.
A Haunting Legacy of #EndSARS
The trend of documenting police misconduct is closely tied to the 2020 #EndSARS protests, when Nigerians nationwide protested against brutality by the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). The movement, powered by social media, drew international attention and eventually led to the disbandment of SARS. Despite promises of police reform, instances of brutality continue to surface, often captured on camera and shared online to demand accountability.
Nigeria Police Force Responds
The NPF condemned the officer’s actions in a statement on X, confirming that personnel involved are attached to the Lagos State Police Command. The statement said:
“We strongly condemn the actions of some officers attempting to forcibly remove a pair of glasses from a motorist during a stop-and-search operation. The officers involved have been identified, and the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, has acted swiftly to ensure disciplinary measures are taken. The squad involved is being restructured.”
The statement emphasized that the incident is isolated and does not reflect the professionalism expected of police personnel.
However, the NPF did not explicitly clarify the legality of recording officers. Earlier, Force Public Relations Officer DCP Olumuyiwa Adejobi stated:
“You can video or take pictures of policemen on duty. We have said it severally. There is nothing wrong with that.”
Legal Perspective on Filming Police Officers
Section 37 of the 1999 Constitution guarantees citizens’ right to privacy but does not extend to police officers performing public duties.
Abdullahi Tijani, legal practitioner and Executive Director of The Liberalist, explained:
“There’s no law criminalizing filming police officers on duty. Public officials are subjected to scrutiny, and citizens have the right to observe and document their actions. While privacy laws protect private citizens, they do not apply to officials performing public functions.”
Tijani added that police officers, like all government officials, must operate within the law, making it lawful for citizens to record their public activities.
As technology continues to advance and citizens increasingly document public interactions, legal experts emphasize the importance of understanding both rights and responsibilities when recording law enforcement officials in Nigeria.
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