By SUNTV Global Channel | July 18, 2026
A Nigerian investigative journalist and human rights advocate, Daniel Nduka Okonkwo, has called on the country’s security agencies to fully respect citizens’ constitutional rights by ending the harassment of people who record law enforcement officers performing official duties in public.
In an opinion article published on Saturday, Okonkwo argued that Nigerians have a legally protected right to film police officers and other civilian security personnel while they are carrying out their duties in public spaces, provided such recordings do not obstruct official operations.
He referenced a landmark Federal High Court judgment delivered on March 17, 2026, in Warri, Delta State, which affirmed that citizens may lawfully document the conduct of law enforcement officers in public. The court also ruled that officers on public duty must display visible name tags and identification numbers, strengthening transparency and accountability within security agencies.
According to Okonkwo, the judgment reinforces constitutional protections for freedom of expression and serves as a reminder that security personnel are accountable to the public they are sworn to protect.
He maintained that agencies such as the Nigeria Police Force, Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC), Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC), National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Nigeria Customs Service, and Nigeria Immigration Service should not intimidate, arrest, or confiscate the phones of citizens who lawfully record their activities.
However, he cautioned that the right to record is not unlimited. He noted that filming military operations, sensitive security installations, courtroom proceedings, or private individuals without legal authority or consent may violate Nigerian laws or national security regulations.
Okonkwo also stressed that citizens exercising their right to record should do so responsibly by keeping a safe distance, avoiding interference with security operations, and respecting the privacy rights of others.
He urged security agencies to improve the training of personnel on constitutional rights, enforce identification requirements for officers on duty, and hold accountable any officials who unlawfully harass members of the public or seize recording devices.
The human rights advocate concluded that greater transparency, respect for the rule of law, and stronger public accountability would help build trust between security agencies and Nigerians, ultimately strengthening democratic governance and effective policing.
Source: Opinion by Daniel Nduka Okonkwo.
