Kehinde Fajobi
Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun has advised Nigerians to stop using social media to report police misconduct, urging them to channel complaints through the Police Complaints Response Unit (PCRU) for a structured and accountable resolution process.
Speaking on Monday at the Police Public Relations Officers (PPROs) and Communication Experts’ Conference in Asaba, Delta State, Egbetokun cautioned that addressing grievances on social media often leads to misinformation and damages 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.
While acknowledging the influence of social media in shaping public opinion, he emphasised that unverified information could create false narratives, undermining public trust in the police.
Egbetokun reiterated the force’s commitment to transparency and accountability, adding that building public trust is central to ongoing police reforms.
“This conference is part of police reform, aimed at building trust and respect, which will, in turn, help us gain public trust,” he noted.
Delta State Governor Sheriff Oborevwori, who declared the conference open, commended the IGP for his efforts in advancing police reforms and highlighted the challenges of policing states like Delta and Lagos.
“I want to thank the IGP for his good work,” Oborevwori said. “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.”
Both Egbetokun and Oborevwori stressed the importance of public engagement and effective communication by Police Public Relations Officers to counter misinformation and showcase the positive work of the force.