Recording Police Safely: Where Rights Meet The Law
In Nigeria, recording police officers in the course of their duties is not illegal. The Constitution guarantees freedom of expression and the right to receive and disseminate information. In an era of body cameras, citizen journalism, and viral accountability, the public’s camera has become a powerful tool.
However, exercising a right without understanding its legal boundaries can quickly turn a witness into a suspect.
Why Police Often Shout “Stop Recording”
When officers order citizens to stop recording, many assume it is an attack on civil liberties. In reality, the instruction is often rooted in operational control rather than censorship.
Under Nigerian criminal law, obstruction of lawful police duty is an offence. If an officer reasonably believes your actions are interfering with an arrest, investigation, or safety procedure, they are empowered to act — including arresting you.
What the Law Considers Obstruction
Obstruction does not require violence. It includes any conduct that hinders, delays, or disrupts police work.
Standing in an officer’s path, forcing them to physically move you aside, or positioning yourself where they cannot operate freely qualifies as obstruction. Interrupting an arrest, shouting over officers, or crowding them during a tense encounter may be interpreted as interference, regardless of your intention.
Touching a suspect — even to “calm things down” — immediately crosses a legal line. Once a suspect is in police custody, any third-party contact without authorisation can amount to aiding escape or obstructing justice.
The Danger of Close-Range Recording
Recording does not require proximity. When a phone is pushed inches from an officer’s face, it compromises personal space, heightens tension, and increases the risk of confrontation.
Police operations are often volatile. Officers are trained to control their environment quickly. Anyone who enters that space uninvited may be treated as a threat before explanations begin.
Why Silence Is Strategic
Shouting instructions at police officers — telling them how to do their job — transforms documentation into participation. Courts evaluate evidence, not commentary.
A silent video recorded from a safe distance is far more powerful than loud accusations captured up close. The camera should speak; your voice should not.
Recording Wisely Protects Everyone
The law protects the right to record, but it also protects the right of police officers to perform their duties without obstruction. The balance lies in distance, silence, and restraint.
One responsibly recorded video can expose abuse, save lives, and ensure justice. One poorly executed recording can land you in handcuffs.
