Abuja – The Force Public Relations Officer of the Nigeria Police Force, Benjamin Hundeyin, has called for stronger collaboration between the media and the police to promote national security and public trust.
Hundeyin made this appeal during a visit to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council, highlighting the importance of balanced reportage in maintaining public confidence in the police.
According to Hundeyin, the police rely heavily on information from the public, and losing trust can put everyone at risk. He emphasized the need for open communication and partnership between the police and media to build trust and promote national security.
“We cannot succeed in our role without the collaboration of the press,” Hundeyin said. “Let’s work together through open communication and partnership to make both the police and the country stronger.”
Hundeyin used the occassion to call for balanced reportage stressing that the ripple effect of negative stories can damage public confidence in the police.
“Policing relies heavily on information,” he said. “Officers can’t be everywhere at once, which is why people’s tips and shared intelligence are so important. But when the public loses trust in us, those vital sources of information dry up, and that puts everyone at risk.”
On our own part we will continue to do everything humanly possible to protect lives and property “ he said
He added that insecurity in one part of the country can affect the whole nation and stressed that his message was not about controlling the press, but about encouraging balanced and responsible reporting.
In response, NUJ FCT Chairman, Grace Ike, welcomed Hundeyin’s initiative and pledged the union’s support for collaboration. She stressed the importance of press freedom and the need for accurate, timely information to build public confidence in the police.
“The NUJ FCT Council does not tolerate any form of harassment or intimidation of journalists,” Ike said. “Press freedom is a right, not a privilege. We are ready to partner with the police to ensure information flows freely and responsibly.”
“We truly value this effort by the police to connect with the media directly. It shows your commitment to open dialogue and better understanding.”
“As journalists, we recognise the key role the police play in keeping the peace and upholding the law. At the same time, the public needs timely, accurate, and honest information to have confidence in the police and other security agencies.”
“That’s why our relationship must be built on trust and cooperation.
Together, we can stop the spread of misinformation and promote reporting that helps society move forward”, Ike said.
The meeting underscored the importance of collaboration between the police and media in promoting national security and public trust. Both parties have pledged to work together to achieve this goal.
