By Seun Ibiyemi
The Inspector-General of Police, , has prohibited serving officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force from engaging in unauthorised social media activities, including content creation, live streaming, skit-making and monetisation on platforms such as TikTok, Facebook, Instagram and YouTube.
The directive was contained in an internal circular dated June 22, 2026, and marked “Restricted – For Official Use Only,” according to police sources.
The circular, referenced SB:4065/IGP.SEC/FHQ/ABJ/VOL.1/11, was issued from the Office of the Inspector-General of Police at the Force Headquarters, Louis Edet House, Abuja, and circulated to senior police officers nationwide, including Heads of Departments, Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General, Commissioners of Police, commanders of the Police Mobile Force and other tactical formations.
Under the new directive, officers found violating the order risk severe disciplinary sanctions, including interdiction, salary forfeiture, demotion, dismissal from service and possible prosecution under applicable laws.
The police leadership expressed concern over what it described as a growing trend of personnel creating and sharing online content in ways that compromise the discipline, professionalism and public image of the Force.
According to the circular, some officers have been producing videos in uniform, conducting live broadcasts, participating in online entertainment activities and monetising social media content without official authorisation.
“I am directed by the Inspector-General of Police to draw the attention of all Commands, Formations, Departments and Units to the growing and most disturbing trend of police officers and men creating and publishing videos, conducting live sessions, and participating in social media platforms particularly TikTok, Instagram Reels, Facebook Live, YouTube, and similar platforms while in police uniform or in circumstances that identify them as members of the Nigeria Police Force, without lawful authority,” the circular stated.
The document noted that some officers had allegedly turned their official identities into tools for entertainment, self-promotion and financial gain, a practice the Force described as unacceptable and detrimental to public trust.
It further highlighted instances where officers operated personal or anonymous social media accounts, commented on police operations and internal affairs without authorisation, and in some cases pursued full-time influencer activities while remaining in active service.
The directive specifically prohibits officers from creating or sharing digital content while in uniform or within police facilities without written approval from the Inspector-General of Police or an authorised representative.
Officers are also barred from operating personal or anonymous accounts for entertainment or commercial purposes where their status as police personnel is referenced, displayed or implied.
Additionally, the order forbids officers from publicly commenting on investigations, deployments, promotions, disciplinary proceedings or other internal police matters without official clearance.
The circular also bans sponsorship arrangements, brand endorsements and monetisation activities linked to an officer’s position within the Force, as well as the publication of sensitive operational information or politically related commentary associated with their official role.
To strengthen enforcement, the IGP introduced a supervisory accountability framework that places responsibility on senior officers for violations committed by personnel under their command.
Under the principle of vicarious liability, Commissioners of Police, Assistant Commissioners and Divisional Police Officers are required to monitor the online activities of officers within their jurisdictions and ensure compliance with the directive.
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The circular warned that supervisors who fail to address known violations could face disciplinary action alongside offending officers.
As part of the implementation process, all Commissioners of Police have been directed to disseminate the order throughout their commands and submit evidence of compliance within 30 days, including attendance registers and signed acknowledgements from personnel.
Commands are expected to issue internal directives within seven days and submit compliance reports through the appropriate channels within 14 days.
The directive further tasked the Force Intelligence Bureau and the X-Squad with monitoring social media platforms to identify officers involved in unauthorised content creation.
Personnel currently operating social media accounts linked to their identity as police officers have been given 14 days to deactivate such accounts or remove all references to the Nigeria Police Force.
The IGP emphasised that the Nigeria Police Force remains a disciplined institution whose effectiveness depends on public confidence, institutional integrity and professional conduct, warning that actions capable of bringing the organisation into disrepute would no longer be tolerated.
The directive, according to the circular, supersedes all previous informal communications on the matter and is to be treated as an urgent order across all police formations nationwide.
