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| Image: IG |
Comedian DeeOne has questioned the position of Inspector General of Police, IGP Tunji Disu, on Nigerians recording police officers while they are carrying out their duties in public.
DeeOne argued that citizens should be allowed to document encounters with police officers, particularly because recordings can provide evidence when disputes arise between members of the public and the police.
He said the concern should not be about citizens holding up their phones to record officers, but about ensuring that police officers conduct themselves properly while carrying out their responsibilities.
“I beg, which kind country we dey run? Don’t forget that what even started End SARS in the first place was viral videos of police victimising citizens. The IGP needs to understand that many of the police officers on the road are not mentally ok. They just carry guns but many of them are drunk.
“So if you really care about the citizens of your country, why should we not record the officers in public places? It’s for the safety of the citizens. Police are supposed to have body cameras. Some reasonable officers will even be the first to record you before you start to record them.
DeeOne also shared a personal experience at a police station, saying he encountered an officer who, according to him, was under the influence of alcohol. He said what concerned him was that the officer’s colleagues were aware of his condition.
“I went to the police station the other day, one of the officers don high. And his colleagues are aware. They were telling me to leave him because he’s already high. Imagine that kind of person on the road with a gun. These are the little, little things that can trigger a country.
The comedian said situations involving armed officers and members of the public should be handled carefully because seemingly small incidents can escalate when there is a lack of trust between both sides.
He also directly challenged Disu over the position attributed to the police leadership, questioning whether the approach could create more tension between officers and citizens.
“That’s why I’m saying this IGP, we no understand you. You are not doing well. You are not doing well. If it starts now, I hope you will be able to handle it? Please, we love this country so much, we don’t want this country to stumble. A statement like this can stumble the entire country.”
DeeOne further acknowledged the Nigerian Bar Association for calling on the police leadership to reconsider its position. He maintained that the responsibility of the police is not simply to enforce the law, but also to build a relationship of trust with the people they are expected to protect.
“And I want to appreciate the NBA for calling the IGP to order. Please stop making careless statements to impress the police. As a good IGP, your job is to ensure that there’s harmony and synergy between the police and the citizens. No police officer is greater than citizens, once they wear that uniform they feel they are greater than you.”
His comments come against the backdrop of the debate over citizens recording police officers during official duties, with Disu warning that the practice could be demoralising to members of the force.
For DeeOne, however, allowing citizens to document police encounters is part of ensuring accountability. He believes officers who conduct themselves professionally should have little reason to fear being recorded, while body cameras could also provide an independent record of interactions between police officers and members of the public.
#DeeOne
#IGPDisu
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