The Security Situation Room, SSR, has declared that Nigerian citizens have the legal right to record police officers carrying out official duties in public spaces, describing attempts by police personnel to stop, harass or seize the devices of citizens documenting their activities as unlawful.
The position was contained in a statement signed by the Convener and Lead of the Security Situation Room, Douglas Ogbankwa, Esq., on Wednesday, September 9, 2026.
The SSR said its attention had been drawn to recurring claims and actions by some police personnel suggesting that members of the public are not permitted to record officers while carrying out operations outside police facilities.
According to the organisation, there is a clear distinction between police stations and courtrooms, which may operate under specific internal regulations, and public spaces where police officers perform official duties.
It said that once officers leave police facilities and operate on highways, streets, public roads and stop-and-search checkpoints, their conduct becomes subject to public observation, scrutiny and digital documentation.
The organisation said its position is backed by the Nigerian Constitution, statutory provisions and judicial precedent, particularly a judgment delivered by the Federal High Court, Warri Judicial Division, on March 17, 2026, in Maxwell Nosakhare Uwaifo v. Inspector-General of Police & 3 Ors, Suit No. FHC/WR/CS/87/2025.
The SSR said the court, presided over by Justice H.A. Nganjiwa, affirmed citizens’ right under Section 39 of the 1999 Constitution to freely express themselves, including recording and publishing matters of public interest involving law enforcement agents performing public duties in public spaces.
It further stated that the court declared attempts by police officers to prevent or punish citizens for recording through threats, harassment, arrest or seizure of recording devices unconstitutional and unlawful.
According to the SSR, the court also issued a perpetual injunction restraining the Inspector-General of Police, the Nigeria Police Force and their agents from harassing, intimidating, threatening or arresting citizens who video-record police officers while on duty in public spaces.
The organisation added that the judgment awarded ₦5 million in damages and ₦2 million in legal costs against the police over the harassment of a citizen who attempted to record officers at a public checkpoint.
The SSR also drew attention to Section 50(4) of the Police Act, 2020, which, according to the organisation, requires police officers exercising stop-and-search powers to be in uniform or wear a visible police identity card.
It maintained that there is no provision in the Police Act prohibiting citizens from recording police operations in public spaces.
The organisation further cited Sections 34 and 35 of the 1999 Constitution, which protect the dignity and personal liberty of citizens, as well as Section 39, which guarantees freedom of expression and the right to receive, hold and impart information and ideas without interference.
The SSR also referenced Section 84 of the Evidence Act, 2011, arguing that electronically generated materials can be recognised as evidence subject to the requirements of the law.
It said citizens may therefore record video and audio of police interactions, stop-and-search procedures and checkpoint operations in public places, including livestreaming or otherwise documenting such activities for transparency and accountability.
According to the organisation, recorded footage may also be used to support complaints submitted to the Police Complaint Response Unit, Police Service Commission, National Human Rights Commission or the courts.
The SSR, however, stressed that citizens must not physically obstruct lawful police operations, maintaining that passive recording, when conducted from a safe distance and without interference, does not amount to obstruction of police duties.
It further argued that police officers on public duty should not confiscate, search, destroy or seize citizens’ phones or recording equipment without lawful authority, nor arrest, detain or threaten citizens solely because they are documenting police activities.
The organisation also called attention to the identification of police officers conducting stop-and-search operations, insisting that officers should operate in uniform or with visible identification, including name tags and force numbers, as required by law.
The Security Situation Room called on the Inspector-General of Police to comply with the Federal High Court judgment and issue nationwide operational directives and training guidelines to police formations on citizens’ rights to document public law enforcement activities.
It also urged the Police Service Commission to enforce disciplinary measures against officers who harass citizens, seize recording devices or fail to comply with applicable identification requirements during public operations.
The organisation called on members of the public to exercise their rights responsibly by recording from a safe distance, avoiding physical interference with police operations and preserving footage that may assist investigations or complaints.
The SSR said greater transparency and accountability would strengthen rather than weaken law enforcement, noting that recordings could protect officers who act within the law while also providing evidence where misconduct occurs.
The statement was signed by Douglas Ogbankwa, Esq., Convener/Lead, The Security Situation Room, dated September 9, 2026.
