The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Ayodeji Abimbola, has called on journalists in the state to support the Nigeria Police Force in enhancing security and tackling emerging threats across the state.
Abimbola made the appeal on Friday when the leadership of the state council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) paid a courtesy visit to his office at the State Police Command headquarters in Eleyele, Ibadan.
The police commissioner stressed that collaboration between the media and security agencies remained essential to effective policing, noting that the longstanding relationship between the police and journalists had continued to yield positive results.
According to him, the support of journalists is vital in projecting the achievements of the police and addressing public misconceptions about the force.
“We need your support in projecting our achievements and correcting public misconceptions about the police,” Abimbola said.
He described security as a collective responsibility, adding that the police relied heavily on credible and timely information from members of the public and the media to successfully carry out operations.
The commissioner also lamented the growing spread of misinformation, stating that professional journalism remained key to curbing the menace.
Recalling his early experience as a cub reporter with Radio Kwara, Abimbola said the media had a critical role to play in ensuring accurate and balanced reporting.
He further disclosed that the police hierarchy was intensifying efforts to enforce discipline among officers and men of the force, urging journalists to report any case of misconduct directly to the command for prompt action.
Abimbola also revealed that the Inspector-General of Police, Tunji Disu, had established a new police unit aimed at strengthening operations nationwide.
He explained that officers assigned to the unit had already undergone specialised training, adding that the unit would be inaugurated at the Oyo State Command on May 16.
Earlier, the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, Akeem Abas, who led the NUJ team, commended the commissioner for his contributions and achievements within the Nigeria Police Force.
Abas attributed the relative peace currently enjoyed in Oyo State to the efforts of the police command, particularly in crime prevention and the arrest of criminal suspects.
He noted that journalists, security agencies and government institutions must collectively uphold the principles they advocate in society.
The NUJ chairman also emphasised the importance of collaboration among journalists, security agencies and the Independent National Electoral Commission ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
According to him, the union was already planning a summit as part of preparations for the electoral process.
