By Leonard Okachie
The Commissioner of Police in Abia, Wilfred Afolabi, has urged journalists to promote responsible reporting and credible information sharing to strengthen security and peaceful democratic participation.
Afolabi said the police and media were partners in the collective responsibility of building a peaceful and secure society.
He spoke at the 2026 Media Retreat/Press Week organised by the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Abia Council, in Umuahia on Thursday.
“The Police and the media are partners in the collective responsibility of building a peaceful and secure society,” he said.
Afolabi said he introduced strategic reforms upon assuming office, focusing on professionalism, accountability, intelligence-led policing and community policing.
He listed the revamping of the Cybercrime Unit, crime analysis and mapping, basic intelligence training, combat and firearms training, and audio-visual training.
He said the command had also strengthened its Community Safety Partnership Initiative to address emerging security challenges.
The initiative engages traditional rulers, youths, vigilantes and sister security agencies in tackling criminal activities across the state.
“Security cannot be achieved by the Police alone,” Afolabi said, stressing that every stakeholder had a responsibility to make Abia safer.
Ahead of the 2027 general elections, he urged journalists to verify security reports before publication and avoid spreading misinformation.
He also advised media practitioners to protect sensitive operational information and maintain effective communication with the police.
On journalists’ safety, Afolabi urged them to respect security cordons, avoid confrontations and protect their digital security during assignments.
“I call for sustained cooperation, mutual respect, credible information sharing and responsible journalism,” he said.
The commissioner assured journalists of protection while performing their legitimate duties and urged them to maintain neutrality in their reportage.
He said responsible journalism would promote peace, accountability and democratic participation, particularly as the country approached the 2027 elections.
Also speaking, the Chief Medical Director of Abia Specialist Hospital, Dr Chimezie Okwuonu, urged journalists to prioritise their health and physical fitness.
Okwuonu advised journalists against skipping meals, urging them to eat balanced diets and drink adequate water, particularly during demanding field assignments.
He also urged them to recognise early signs of stress, protect their sleep and take regular breaks to maintain their wellbeing.
The medical director advised journalists to monitor their blood pressure and blood glucose levels and take prescribed medications consistently.
He urged them to organise their workloads, remain physically active and maintain supportive relationships with family members and colleagues.
Okwuonu also advised media practitioners to observe professional boundaries, avoid harmful coping habits and seek medical attention when symptoms persisted.
The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the retreat’s theme is: ‘The Future of Journalism in an Era of Disinformation: Preparing Abia Media Practitioners for Democracy and the 2027 Polls’.
(NAN)
