Police Sanction 10 Officers Over Social Media Violations

THE Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has sanctioned at least than 10 officers in the last month in enforcement of its social media policy.
The disciplinary measures range from dismissal and demotion to severe reprimand and demobilisation.
A senior Police source told Punch that the actions followed heightened surveillance of officers’ activities on social media platforms, adding: “The Force is actively monitoring social media platforms and identifying erring officers who are being sanctioned accordingly.
“So far, 10 officers have been punished. One officer was dismissed, another was reduced in rank, while others received punishments ranging from severe reprimand to demobilisation.”
It was gathered that one of the most recent cases involved a female officer, Anemena Favour, who was demoted from the rank of Sergeant to Corporal for conducting a live broadcast on TikTok while dressed in Police uniform.
Favour, attached to the Special Protection Unit Base 25 in Asaba, Delta State, was found guilty of discreditable conduct and disobedience of lawful orders.
According to the source: “She was found guilty under Paragraphs E(iii) and F of Police Regulation 370, Act 2, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2020, and was immediately reduced in rank.
“This followed the review of an orderly-room proceeding by the Department of Finance and Administration at the Force Headquarters, Abuja.”
Another source said officers issued with severe reprimands would be ineligible for promotions or certain benefits for a period of six months, adding: “Such officers will also forfeit additional benefits that may arise within the period.
“Before now, the Force had been sensitising officers to the social media policy, particularly through training programmes at police colleges, to prevent future violations.”
The Nigeria Police Force Social Media Policy warns against unauthorised use of social media by officers, with limited exceptions based on rank and official designation.
The policy, divided into 18 Sections, permits officers and auxiliary staff to use social media platforms of their choice, subject to strict rules, restrictions and exceptions.
It states: “All Police personnel are prohibited from identifying themselves directly or indirectly on their social media accounts as police officers, except where they are expressly authorised to do so.
“For the purpose of this policy, only the following persons are authorised to fully identify themselves as Police officers and use their Police uniforms, ranks, logos and insignia on their social media handles: The Inspector General of Police; Zonal Command Assistant Inspectors General and State Command Commissioners of Police; the Force Public Relations Officer; Zonal and State Police Public Relations Officers; PPROs of Police training institutions and formations; and the officer in charge of the Complaint Response Unit.”