Tunji Disu, the inspector-general of police (IGP), has called for stronger collaboration between the police and the media to enhance national security.
Disu spoke on Saturday in Abuja during an interactive session with members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) chapter.
Disu described journalists as “professionals” who play a critical role in supporting the work of the police.
“I have worked with journalists, and I say it with all my heart that you are professionals,” he said.
Disu said security agencies cannot address the country’s security challenges alone, adding that citizens, including journalists, should support efforts intended to safeguard the nation.
“The nation is in a particular security situation now, and we need everybody to come together to salvage the nation. We don’t have another country. If you see something, please say something. The life you save might be your own,” Disu said.
Disu asked police officers to treat members of the public with respect, noting that their conduct should allow them to be welcomed in communities where they have previously served.
“As a policeman, can you go back to where you have worked before and be welcomed? That is a lesson for all policemen and for everyone,” he said.
Disu said while Anthony Placid, the force spokesperson, is responsible for speaking on behalf of the police, journalists can still reach him directly as his communication lines remain open.
In her remarks, Grace Ike, chairperson of the NUJ FCT council, said journalists in the nation’s capital would support the police by responsibly reporting issues related to insecurity.
“We are glad that the inspector-general of police is here to visit journalists. It shows he is a friend of the press. We will do everything humanly possible to use our pen to support efforts to make insecurity a thing of the past,” she said.
Ike invited the IGP to attend the NUJ FCT press week scheduled to hold in May in Abuja.
