Stop Using Videos to Harass Our Officers — IGP Disu Tells Nigerians

The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has warned Nigerians against indiscriminately recording and circulating videos of police officers carrying out lawful duties, saying such actions could undermine security operations and affect officers’ morale.

Disu said while the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to accountability and transparency, members of the public must ensure that recordings and social media engagements involving police personnel are done responsibly. He specifically cautioned against filming officers on duty for content creation purposes, describing the trend as concerning and potentially harmful to operational effectiveness.

The IGP also expressed concern about the circulation of old, misleading videos falsely presented as recent incidents, warning that such content fuels misinformation, creates panic, and undermines national security efforts. He stressed that the Force remains committed to accountability and transparency when it comes to policing, but these principles must be balanced with operational realities.

Speaking during an interactive session with members of the Crime Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CCAN) held at the Police Resource Centre in Abuja over the weekend, Disu addressed the growing trend of civilians recording police officers’ activities at checkpoints and other areas of responsibility and posting the footage on social media. “Yes, accountability is important, and we remain committed to transparency. However, recordings and public engagements involving police officers must be done responsibly and should not be used to harass officers or undermine operational effectiveness,” the IGP stated.

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He cautioned against the growing trend of indiscriminate recording of officers during routine and sensitive activities, including while they are eating, noting that such actions could negatively impact morale at a time when security personnel are confronting multiple security challenges nationwide. “Police officers operate under extremely challenging conditions, often risking their lives to protect citizens and maintain public safety. It is important that public conduct and media coverage do not discourage officers who are committed to doing the right thing,” he added.

Disu disclosed that policing in Nigeria has become increasingly demanding, with officers now working extended hours under severe operational pressures. He revealed that the conventional shift structure has been replaced by round-the-clock duties. “We no longer operate the conventional policing structure of morning, afternoon, and night shifts. Officers work virtually around the clock under very difficult circumstances. Last year alone, the FCT Police Command lost about 140 officers through violent attacks, accidents, and other duty-related incidents,” he revealed. The IGP noted that many officers continue to sacrifice sleep, comfort, and even their lives to ensure citizens live and work peacefully. “If you calculate the number of police officers who die annually across Nigeria while protecting citizens, you will understand the sacrifices they make to keep the country safe,” he said.

Disu reiterated the Force’s zero-tolerance stance against impunity, assuring Nigerians that officers found guilty of misconduct would continue to face disciplinary measures in line with established laws and professional standards. “We have consistently demonstrated our commitment to ending impunity within the Force, and we will continue to address complaints against personnel professionally and decisively. At the same time, officers carrying out lawful duties must also be protected from harassment and deliberate misinformation,” he said. The IGP further assured Nigerians of sustained engagement between the police and the media as part of efforts to strengthen transparency, public trust, and effective communication on security matters. He described journalists as strategic partners in the fight against insecurity and urged continued collaboration in promoting responsible and accurate security reporting.

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Earlier in his remarks, Chairman of the Crime Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CCAN), Festus Fifen, reaffirmed the commitment of crime correspondents to supporting national security efforts through responsible journalism and factual reporting. “We are no longer just reporting violence; we are part of a system working towards building a safer society,” Fifen said. He called for improved collaboration between the police and the media, particularly in the area of timely access to credible information during security incidents to prevent misinformation and speculation. He assured the police leadership that crime correspondents remain committed partners in promoting peace, security, and national development.

The IGP also expressed concern over the circulation of old and misleading videos falsely presented as recent incidents, stressing that such content contributes to misinformation, public panic, and unnecessary tension within communities. “We urge members of the public and social media users to refrain from recycling old or manipulated videos capable of creating panic or undermining national security efforts. Such actions are harmful to the country’s image and stability,” he said. The IG’s appeal comes amid frequent recordings of police officers’ activities at checkpoints and other areas of responsibility by some civilians who then post the footage on social media. According to him, police personnel continue to make enormous sacrifices daily in the discharge of their constitutional responsibilities and deserve public understanding and support.

As of the time of this report, the Nigeria Police Force continues to balance its commitment to transparency with the need to protect officers from harassment and misinformation. The IGP has assured Nigerians that legitimate complaints against officers will continue to be taken seriously and investigated thoroughly, while urging the public to continue cooperating with law enforcement agencies in efforts to combat crime and improve community safety.

Stop Using Videos to Harass Our Officers — IGP Disu Tells Nigerian

Three Man O’ War Members Arrested Over Killing of FUTO Student

The Imo State Police Command has arrested three students of the Federal University of Technology, Owerri (FUTO), in connection with the alleged murder of a 21-year-old undergraduate who was reportedly beaten to death by members of the university’s Man O’ War organisation over an accusation of stealing N13,500.

The deceased, Chinedu Christogonus (also identified as Chinedu Chibuzor Christogonus), was a 100-level Cyber Security student at FUTO. He reportedly died on Saturday, May 30, 2026, after he was allegedly restrained and subjected to severe assault by members of the paramilitary campus security group. The incident has sparked widespread outrage on the campus, with angry students reportedly going on a rampage, burning buildings and destroying property within the university. In a viral video circulating on social media, students were seen in large numbers demanding justice for their slain colleague, systematically demolishing Man O’ War signposts and perimeter fixtures, and setting several structures on fire.

Confirming the incident in a statement on Saturday, the Police Public Relations Officer of the command, DSP Henry Okoye, disclosed that preliminary investigations revealed that Christogonus was allegedly assaulted by some Man O’ War members after he was accused of stealing N13,500. Okoye identified the suspects arrested in connection with the incident as Chukwuemeka Benedict, 21; Kelechi Ikenna, 24; and Obioma Anastasia, 21, all of whom are 500-level students of FUTO. According to the police, initial findings indicated that the deceased was allegedly restrained and subjected to severe assault, resulting in critical injuries. “He was subsequently rushed to the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri, where he was confirmed dead by medical personnel,” the statement read.

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Upon receiving the report, the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, CP Audu Garba Bosso, immediately directed operatives to take swift action, leading to the immediate arrest of the suspects. Relevant evidence has been secured, while the corpse has been deposited in the morgue for preservation and autopsy. To ensure a thorough, professional, and discreet investigation, the Commissioner of Police has ordered the transfer of the case to the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Owerri, for comprehensive investigation. He further directed that all persons connected to the incident be identified and investigated, with a view to ensuring that justice is served. “The Commissioner of Police assures the family of the deceased, the university community, and members of the public that the command is fully on top of the situation and remains committed to uncovering the circumstances surrounding the death. He emphasizes that no individual, regardless of status, will be shielded from the law if found culpable,” the police statement read.

According to multiple reports, the tragic incident began on Friday night, May 29, 2026, when Christogonus was arrested by members of the Man O’ War organisation over an accusation of theft. The FUTO Association of Campus Journalists described the incident as one of the darkest moments in the institution’s history. According to the union, Christogonus was serving as the aide-de-camp (ADC) to the commander of the cadet organisation on the campus, noting that the incident stemmed from an internal dispute within the paramilitary group. “Accounts surrounding the origin of the dispute remain conflicting,” the union’s statement read. “While some sources allege that Chinedu was accused of stealing N13,500 belonging to the commander, Benedict, others maintain that the issue stemmed from an alleged debt of N13,000. Regardless of the differing accounts, multiple sources claim that Chinedu was subjected to hours of severe assault and punishment that reportedly lasted between five and six hours.” Witnesses alleged that the beating continued deep into the night, with the student enduring repeated physical abuse at the hands of fellow members of the organisation. Several students pleaded for his release, but their pleas were ignored until he allegedly died as a result of the torture.

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The news of his death sparked immediate outrage and a swift retaliatory onslaught from the student body. The confirmation of the freshman’s death turned the university campus into a battlefield as thousands of enraged students mobilised in solidarity. In one video clip, a thick crowd of students can be seen utilizing clubs and heavy stones to completely demolish the signpost and perimeter fixtures of the paramilitary organization. Another video reveals a much more dangerous escalation, showing desperate students setting several structures on fire. Plumes of thick, dark smoke can be seen billowing heavily over university buildings, forcing lecturers and administrators to flee the campus for safety. It was gathered that C.E. Orji, dean of student affairs, and Christopher Bukas, president of the Students’ Union Government (SUG) , made efforts to engage the protesters. However, the students declined to back down, insisting that nothing short of the complete dissolution of the Man O’ War unit would satisfy their demand for justice.

“The boy was brutally beaten just because of an unverified accusation that he stole N13,000,” a distraught student leader told SaharaReporters. “Instead of handing him over to the university’s official security unit or the Nigeria Police for proper investigation, these Man O’ War elements locked him up and beat him like an animal until he died. This is pure murder, and we will not allow it to be swept under the rug.” Speaking to TheCable, Nduka Victory, the SUG public relations officer (PRO) , said the university had placed an indefinite ban on Man O’ War activities on the campus in a bid to calm the rising tension.

The tragic incident has renewed intense debates regarding the high-handed operations of quasi-security and volunteer paramilitary groups across Nigerian university campuses. Students have routinely complained that bodies like the Man O’ War, cadet units, and local campus vigilantes often operate outside the law, using torture, arbitrary detentions, and raw physical violence to extort and terrorize students under the guise of enforcing campus discipline. The destruction of the base at FUTO represents a total rejection of these parallel security structures by the student body.

The police command appealed to students and members of the public to remain calm and allow the investigation to run its course, reiterating the command’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and ensuring that all those responsible are brought to justice. As of the time of this report, the three suspects remain in police custody while investigations continue. The corpse of the deceased has been deposited in the morgue pending autopsy.

Three Man O’ War Members Arrested Over Killing of FUTO Student

Abducted Oyo Principal’s Husband Weeps, Begs Makinde to Secure Her Release

The husband of abducted Oyo school principal, Mrs. Rachael Alamu, broke down in tears as he spoke about his kidnapped wife, while begging the government to rescue her and other schoolchildren held captive in a terrorist den. Mr. Alamu made this emotional appeal on Saturday when Governor Seyi Makinde visited Esiele, the community raided by bandits on May 15, which resulted in the abduction of over 40 staff and schoolchildren. Mr. Alamu introduced himself as “the husband of the abducted principal of Community High School Esinele.” According to Tribune Online, the grieving husband is Prof. Wole Alamu, Dean of Renewable Natural Resources at Ladoke Akintola University of Technology (LAUTECH) , Iseyin Campus. “My wife is the woman the terrorists record to speak to Nigerians. Seeing video of my wife in terrorist den is depressing and disheartening,” Mr. Alamu said as he broke down in tears. The professor commended Governor Makinde’s intervention but urged him to sustain efforts towards securing the victims’ release. Another resident, Mrs. Funmilayo Ojo, disclosed that four of her grandchildren and her son’s wife were among those abducted, while other community members described the incident as the first of its kind in the area.

On Friday, Mrs. Alamu, in a video recorded by her abductors, issued a desperate plea from captivity. “I’m here again to beg the government. Governor Seyi Makinde should dialogue with these people. They should not use force. The force they used yesterday has cost us so much,” she said. Begging the government to secure their release, Mrs. Alamu warned that the abductors had allegedly selected one of the captives for execution following a failed rescue attempt by security operatives. “In fact, one of us has been picked that they are going to kill him. Please, we want you to call them and dialogue with them so that our lives will be saved,” she said. In another video, the distressed principal revealed that she and the other captives had spent 13 days in the bush, exposed to harsh weather conditions. “Please, help us. We beg you in the name of God, please have mercy on us. This is too much. In the sun and in the rain. Both old and young, we are in the same place,” she pleaded. Mary Akanbi, one of the abducted teachers who is nursing a baby, also appealed to Governor Makinde to negotiate with the kidnappers for their freedom. “We are pleading with Governor Seyi Makinde, please help us, negotiate with these people. Whatever they want, please give to them. We are all here; we the teachers and the students,” she said.

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Mr. Makinde spoke to the families of the abducted teachers and schoolchildren during his visit to the community on Saturday, assuring them that the abductees would be released. “All I need is your cooperation. Please trust us. I cannot speak much because it has security implication. I know your hearts are bleeding. My heart is also bleeding. Please trust us. We will secure their release,” Mr. Makinde said. The governor disclosed that he had been holding regular meetings with security chiefs as part of efforts to secure the victims’ release. “I have not been sleeping well myself. Together with the service commanders, we meet twice every day, one in the morning and one at night, sometimes until 10 or 11 p.m.,” he added. Makinde described the abduction as particularly disturbing, noting that cases involving primary school pupils were rare in Nigeria. “There is nowhere in Nigeria where we have seen this sort of situation where primary school students are kidnapped. If it were secondary school students, we have heard that before, but primary school students are strange,” he said. He stressed that while many Nigerians had expressed opinions on how the crisis should be handled, authorities must proceed with caution given the sensitive nature of the ongoing operation. “This is not the time to trade blame between the state government, the federal government, local governments or any other institution. This is a time for unity. Let us come together with one purpose: to rescue our children and their teachers safely,” he said.

Mrs. Alamu’s plea comes 13 days after she and others were abducted. The coordinated terrorist attack on May 15, 2026, targeted three schools in the Ahoro-Esinele and Yawota communities of Oriire Local Government Area: Baptist Nursery and Primary School, Yawota; Community Grammar School, Esiele; and L.A. Primary School, Alawusa. During the attack, mathematics teacher Michael Oyedokun was beheaded by the abductors. A motorcyclist was also killed, and a security personnel died after running into improvised explosive devices (IEDs) planted by the abductors during early rescue attempts. The attack triggered protests in Ogbomoso, where teachers suspended classroom activities and marched peacefully to the office of the Oyo State Teaching Service Commission (TESCOM), demanding urgent action to secure the release of those still being held captive.

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President Bola Tinubu condemned the killing of Michael Oyedokun as “barbaric” and assured that the Federal Government is working closely with the Oyo State Government to secure the release of all abducted victims. The President also disclosed that the Inspector-General of Police is personally leading a technology-driven operation aimed at rescuing the victims and apprehending the perpetrators. In his Children’s Day message, President Tinubu specifically addressed the abducted pupils and teachers in Oyo and Borno states, assuring them that they had not been forgotten. He pledged that his administration would intensify efforts to secure their safe return. The Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, also announced the deployment of additional detectives from the Force Headquarters, Abuja, to collaborate with the joint security team, while the Defence Headquarters said troops had made contact with the abductors and were working to ensure the rescue of the victims.

The Nigeria Union of Teachers (NUT) has expressed deep concern over the continued captivity of the pupils and teachers, describing the situation as “heartbreaking, barbaric and unacceptable.” The union called for expedited and more decisive actions from the government and all relevant security agencies, emphasizing that “time is of the essence.” NUT President Titus Amba had earlier warned that the next attack on any school could trigger a nationwide shutdown of basic education schools, stating, “If teachers are not safe where they work, then the system has failed because our schools are endangered.” As of the time of this report, the victims remain in captivity, with their families enduring an agonizing wait for news of their loved ones’ safe return. The Oyo State Government continues to work with federal security agencies to secure the release of all abducted persons.

Abducted Oyo Principal’s Husband Weeps, Begs Makinde to Secure Her Release