The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has warned Nigerians to refrain from using social media to report the conduct of police officers and instead direct such complaints to the Police Complaints Response Unit.
Speaking at the PPROs/Police Communication Experts’ Conference in Asaba, Delta State, on Monday, the Inspector General stressed that using social media to address issues frequently leads to disinformation and weakens the Force’s integrity.
The IGP acknowledged the impact of social media on public opinion, but cautioned that unverified information can lead to false perceptions.
The IGP emphasised the need for transparency and accountability within the police force, and sees the media as a valuable partner in this effort.
“I’m glad to address the PPROs/Police Communication Experts’ Conference. I thank the governor for hosting this conference. This conference is part of police reform, aimed at building trust and respect, which will, in turn, help us gain public trust,” he added.
Governor Sheriff Oborevwori of Delta State, who opened the conference, also shared insights on the challenges of policing in different states.
“I want to thank the IGP for his good work,” Oborevwori said.
“As an officer who served in Lagos as CP, he is capable of policing Nigeria. Delta and Lagos States are very tough states to police; therefore, any officer who served in Delta or Lagos as CP will police Nigeria well,” he added.
Both the IG and the governor underlined the necessity for public involvement, underlining the responsibility of the Force’s public relations officers in addressing misconceptions and displaying the beneficial work of the Force.
