NPF Moves to Sack Officers Using TikTok, Facebook, Other Social Media Platforms
The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has prohibited serving officers and men of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF) from engaging in unauthorised social media activities, including creating videos, live streaming, posting skits, and monetising content on platforms such as TikTok, Instagram, Facebook, YouTube and other similar platforms while identifying themselves as police personnel.
The directive was contained in an internal circular dated June 22, 2026, and marked “Restricted – For Official Use Only.” The document warned that officers who violate the order risk severe disciplinary sanctions, including interdiction, salary forfeiture, demotion, dismissal from the Force, and possible criminal prosecution.
Signed by the Principal Staff Officer to the Inspector-General of Police, the circular was addressed to all Heads of Departments at Force Headquarters, Zonal Assistant Inspectors-General of Police, State Commissioners of Police, the FCT Commissioner of Police, the Commandant of the Police Mobile Force, and all Formation and Unit Commanders nationwide.
According to the circular, the IGP expressed concern over what he described as the growing and disturbing trend of police personnel creating and publishing social media content without official approval.
The directive noted that many officers had turned social media platforms into avenues for entertainment, personal promotion, and commercial activities while identifying themselves as members of the Nigeria Police Force.
The Force specifically cited cases of officers posting videos in police uniforms for financial gain, operating social media accounts in ways that could bring the Force into disrepute, commenting publicly on official police matters without authorisation, and aspiring to become full-time content creators while still in active service.
The circular reminded officers that their conduct is regulated by existing laws and policies, including the Nigeria Police Act 2020, the Nigeria Police Force Social Media Policy, Police Force Regulations, Police Service Commission disciplinary regulations, and the Cybercrime (Prohibition, Prevention, etc.) Act.
The IGP subsequently directed that, with immediate effect, serving officers are prohibited from creating or sharing videos, photographs, skits, live streams, or any other content in police uniforms or within police premises without written approval from the Inspector-General or an authorised representative.
Officers were also barred from operating personal or anonymous accounts for content creation, entertainment, brand promotion, or commercial purposes where such activities reference or exploit their status as police personnel.
Other prohibited activities include commenting publicly on police investigations, postings, transfers, promotions, disciplinary matters, and official operations; accepting sponsorships or endorsement deals linked to their identity as police officers; disclosing sensitive police information; and making statements on political issues, government policies, or public controversies while identifying as police personnel.
In a major aspect of the directive, the IGP introduced a vicarious liability provision, making senior officers responsible for violations committed by personnel under their supervision.
The circular stated that Commissioners of Police, Assistant Commissioners, Divisional Police Officers, and other supervisory officers have a duty to monitor the social media activities of officers under their command. Any supervisor who fails to detect, report, or act on violations may also face disciplinary proceedings.
The directive further ordered all Commissioners of Police to communicate the policy to officers within their commands and submit evidence of compliance, including attendance registers and acknowledgement forms, to the Force Secretary within 30 days.
Under the implementation timeline, State Commissioners of Police are required to issue corresponding directives within seven days, while all officers must acknowledge receipt of the order in writing. Compliance reports detailing actions taken and measures introduced to ensure enforcement must be submitted to the Inspector-General through the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations within 14 days.
The circular warned that officers found violating the policy would face immediate interdiction pending investigation, forfeiture of salaries during the interdiction period, reduction in rank, dismissal from the Force, and prosecution under relevant criminal or cybercrime laws where applicable.
Additionally, the Force Intelligence Bureau (FIB) and the Professional Standards Department (X-Squad) have been directed to monitor social media platforms and identify officers who breach the policy.
The directive also ordered any serving officer currently operating a content creation account linked to their identity as a police officer to either deactivate the account or completely separate it from their police identity within 14 days and report compliance to their supervising officer.
Reaffirming the Force’s commitment to professionalism, the IGP stated that the effectiveness of the Nigeria Police Force depends on public trust, institutional integrity, and the professional conduct of its personnel.
The circular, which takes immediate effect, was classified as a matter of “High Priority” and supersedes all previous informal communications on the subject.
