Nigeria warns local movies against demeaning police

The Inspector General of Police of Nigeria has cautioned actors and filmmakers from depicting police officers negatively without their prior consent.

Inspector General Usman Baba claims that actors playing police officers in movies must now receive legal approval and that violators will face legal action.

The goal of the order is to "address false views" of potential criminals.

The Nigerian film industry, sometimes known as Nollywood, creates films that are watched throughout Africa and frequently include police officers.

"Film or skit makers who portray the Nigeria Police Force officers in a bad light, without applying for, and being duly issued a permit letter for such portrayals, to desist with immediate effect or face the full wrath of the law,” a statement by police spokesperson Olumuyiwa Adejobi said.

It said approvals will be given to applications on the usage of police items that "portray good values, impress positively on the Nigerian public and add value to our system".