Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun has called on Nigerians to refrain from using social media as a platform to report the conduct of police officers. Instead, he urged citizens to direct complaints to the Police Complaints Response Unit (PCRU) for a structured and accountable resolution process.
Speaking on Monday at the PPROs/Police Communication Experts’ Conference in Asaba, Delta State, the IGP expressed concern over the misuse of social media in addressing grievances, noting its potential to spread misinformation and harm the reputation of the police force.
“We appeal to the public not to resort to social media when reporting the conduct of police officers but rather use the Police Complaints Response Unit,” Egbetokun said. He acknowledged social media’s influence on public opinion but warned that unverified information could lead to false perceptions.
The IGP emphasized the importance of fostering transparency and accountability within the police force. He also recognized the media as a critical partner in building trust between the police and the public.
“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 inaugurated the conference, highlighted the unique challenges of policing states like Delta and Lagos. He commended the IGP’s leadership and stressed the importance of countering misinformation through effective communication.
“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 IGP and Governor Oborevwori underscored the critical role of Police Public Relations Officers (PPROs) in addressing misconceptions and highlighting the positive contributions of the police to society.