The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has received backlash after posting on social media a campaign that Nigerians are “esteemed customers” during International Customer Service Week.

The graphic, shared on X on Thursday, featured a photo of Inspector General of Police Kayode Egbetokun.

It included the message: “As we renew our commitment to placing you at the heart of our service,” along with the slogan, “Your Safety, Our Mission.”

The caption read, “Yes, you – our esteemed customer, we celebrate you.”

Within hours, the post had gained more than 122,000 views and hundreds of responses. Many social media users questioned the use of the word “customer” in relation to the police and citizens.

One user, @Jiokkycee, asked, “Customer? What are you selling?” while @josephanyaa wrote “no wonder bail is not free. na transaction”

Another, @realTobiAkinbo, wrote, “Who are your customers? Those you arrest and take money from, I guess.”

While @IViktarIdam shared a viral old image that showed police officers counting cash at a table with the caption “Police now see citizens as customers.”

As of the time of filing this report, The Guardian cannot confirm the authenticity of the image.

User @Uwoloh3 said: “We are not your customers because you don’t run a business. We are citizens. You are supposed to serve us.

“The police serve the public, protect lives, and enforce the law — not sell a service.

“Calling people “customers” misrepresents duty and turns a public service into a shop transaction.”

“Sack the content writer & employ competent hands to handle graphic & content writing,” wrote @SodiqAfolabii in another post.

@israelinity wrote “Just imagine CBN tweeting, “THANKING YOU FOR BANKING WITH US.”

@ustinang3lo wrote “Wetin una dey sell please, I buy for two people.”

@handsumeze wrote “Customers? Ohh I just remembered we are paying for tinted glass.”

@UcheOfTheFather wrote “My motorbike that was stolen in 2010, which I reported at Nassarawa Police Station (and paid for the paper and pen with which I put down my complaint) has still not been found and returned to me!!!”

@ayooladejo wrote “Yeah.If you do police character certificate, you are a customer ..Don’t overthink it.Thanks NPF.2