The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olukayode Egbetokun said the Nigeria Police Force has noted recent surge in the recirculation of outdated videos depicting police misconduct, urging members of the public to verify the authentication and timeline of videos before they share or circulate on social media.
IGP Egbetokun made this appeal while declaring opening ceremony of the 2024 Conference of Police, PR Roles, and Communications Experts Asaba with the theme, "Strengthening Nigeria Police Force Oversight and Accountability Mechanism" at Unity Hall, Government House Asaba, Delta State.
IGP Egbetokun noted that the recent circulations of old videos unfairly portray the police on social media, mislead members of the public, and exacerbate our current insecurity challenges, rather than resolving them.
He laments that many of these videos are several years old, but have been presented as current incidents to mislead members of the public and attract criticism and condemnation of the police force.
"For convenient reporting, contact the Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit, DCRRU, via the following phone numbers. For calls, you can contact our Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit on 080570-00001 or 080570-00002. For text messages, you can contact our Public Complaint Rapid Response Unit on 080570-00003. We also have a Twitter account and email.
"Our office address is the 1st Floor, 4th Equator, Lewis Edith House, Sheu Shagari Way, Central Area, Abuja. The respective state PROs will circulate their relevant phone numbers for this purpose. The CRU is available 24x7 to receive and resolve complaints of police misconduct from all parts of Nigeria.
"Please remember to indicate date and place of incident. Additionally, we have harnessed the vast potential of social media to foster engagement and enhance transparency. Our active engagements on platforms such as Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, and TikTok have proven crucial in closing the communication gap between the police and the public." he noted
IGP Egbetokun stressed that these digital forums enable citizens to voice their concerns instantaneously, request information, and order feedback regarding police activities. Importantly, they serve as critical tools in combating misinformation and ensuring that accurate narratives about NPF operations are communicated effectively.
"We encourage and embrace scrutiny and simultaneously urge the media to highlight the commendable efforts of countless brave men and women in the force who risk their lives daily to protect our communities.
"This balanced approach helps nurture a positive relationship with the public and reinforces the critical role of the media in promoting transparency and accountability within our ranks. To maintain and build upon these achievements, it is imperative that we continue to provide strong institutional support to the Public Relations Department.
"Our commitment to continually refining our communication strategies is unyielding. With a focus on aligning with global best practices, this ensures that each public interaction is crafted to foster mutual understanding and respect, further enhancing the effectiveness and professionalism of our engagements. ' he said