The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, has directed all state police commands and departments across Nigeria to urgently review and sanitize official WhatsApp groups and other digital communication platforms used by personnel.
The directive follows growing concerns over unauthorized leaks of sensitive police information and improper use of social media for official communication. Police leadership expressed strong displeasure over repeated breaches of the Nigeria Police Force’s information security protocols.
A message sent to all Assistant Inspectors-General, Commissioners of Police, and heads of police formations nationwide emphasized that poor oversight and uncensored digital platforms had led to repeated information leaks, threatening operational security and internal discipline.
Under the new instructions, retired, transferred, deceased, or dismissed personnel must be removed from all departmental WhatsApp groups and other social media platforms. Platforms must also be deactivated promptly once their operational purpose is completed.
Police commands have been ordered to conduct regular vetting of members, monitor content shared on approved platforms, and restrict access strictly to authorized personnel. Additionally, the Force Public Relations Department is tasked with implementing a comprehensive sensitization program on the Police Social Media Policy and cyber hygiene protocols.
Disu warned that strict compliance is mandatory and that officers found violating the directives or the Force Social Media Policy would face disciplinary sanctions.
The directive comes amid wider reforms in the force, including the dissolution of multiple tactical units across commands. Existing units, regardless of their operational names such as “Lion,” “Tiger,” or “Scorpion” squads, have been dissolved and will be restructured under the supervision of the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in charge of Operations. Currently, only area commands and divisional surveillance units are permitted to operate temporarily.
The urgency of the directive highlights the police leadership’s focus on tightening information management and ensuring operational security amid increasing incidents of leaked official documents.
