The spokesperson of the Nigeria Police Force, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, has called for closer cooperation between the police and the media to build public trust and improve national security.
Hundeyin made the call during his visit to the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Council. He said his role as police spokesman would be impossible without the support of journalists.
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“I cannot succeed in this role without the press,” he said, urging journalists to report fairly and responsibly.
He explained that negative stories can weaken public confidence in the police, which in turn affects information sharing. “Policing depends on information. Officers can’t be everywhere, so we rely on people’s tips. But if people don’t trust us, they stop talking to us, and that makes everyone unsafe,” he noted.
Hundeyin assured that the police will keep working to protect lives and property. He also stressed that insecurity in one area can affect the whole country. He made it clear that his appeal was not about controlling the media, but about encouraging balanced reporting.
“I am appealing to you today: help us build trust. Let’s work together through open communication to make both the police and the country stronger,” he said.
He also promised to respond quickly to complaints from journalists, especially when dealing with police officers.
NUJ FCT Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike, welcomed Hundeyin and said the union is ready to partner with the police. She praised the visit as a sign of openness and dialogue.
She reminded the police that the NUJ does not accept harassment of journalists and that press freedom is a right. She also stressed that the public needs honest and accurate information to trust security agencies.
“Our relationship must be based on trust and cooperation,” she said. “Together, we can stop misinformation and promote reporting that benefits society.”
Other NUJ FCT Council members who welcomed Hundeyin include Comrade Jide Oyekunle (Secretary), Ms Sharon Emefia (Assistant Secretary), Rosemary Ukoko-Tega (Auditor), Henry Daniel Abimiku (Financial Secretary), and Ebriku John Friday (Ex-Officio 1).
