The Area Commander of the Warri Area Command, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Graham Imade, has emphasized that a strong partnership between the Nigeria Police Force and the media is essential to tackling crime and criminality in Nigeria.
ACP Imade made this known on Monday while receiving the executive and members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, who paid him a courtesy visit at the Area Command Headquarters in Warri, Warri South Local Government Area of Delta State. According to the Area Commander, the media remains a critical stakeholder in national security, describing journalists as “the voice of the voiceless” whose responsibility is to ensure that vital information reaches people, including those in the most remote communities.
He noted that effective policing cannot succeed without the support of a responsible and professional media, just as journalism cannot thrive in an atmosphere of insecurity. ACP Imade expressed satisfaction with the cordial relationship that has existed between the Warri Area Command and members of the NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel since he assumed office, saying the collaboration has enhanced mutual understanding and contributed to improved security in the area.
While acknowledging that occasional misunderstandings may arise between the police and the media, he stressed that such issues could always be resolved through dialogue, mutual respect and sustained cooperation. He expressed confidence that the existing relationship would continue to grow stronger.
The police chief reaffirmed the command’s commitment to sustaining the peace and security currently enjoyed across the Warri Area Command through proactive policing and strategic collaboration with relevant stakeholders. He disclosed that the command had intensified engagements with school proprietors, religious leaders, market associations, transport unions and other community groups as part of efforts to prevent crime and strengthen public safety.
ACP Imade also urged journalists to serve as security ambassadors by promptly reporting suspicious activities and sharing credible intelligence with security agencies.
He commended members of the chapel who had, on different occasions, alerted him to security threats within their communities, saying that, such timely information had enabled the police to respond swiftly and effectively. The Area Commander further appealed to members of the public to cooperate with law enforcement agencies by providing credible information and evidence necessary for the successful prosecution of criminal suspects, stressing that allegations without evidence were insufficient to secure convictions in court.
He assured residents that information provided to the police would be treated with strict confidentiality and encouraged them to keep the telephone numbers of Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) for prompt reporting of emergencies. According to him, crime has no geographical boundaries, making timely information sharing among communities, journalists and security agencies indispensable for preventing criminal activities and ensuring rapid response.
He therefore called on members of the NUJ to sustain their partnership with the police by using their various media platforms to promote security awareness and encourage citizens to support law enforcement efforts, emphasizing that the maintenance of peace and security is a collective responsibility.
Earlier, the Chairman of the NUJ Warri Correspondents’ Chapel, Chief Akpokona Omafuaire, called for closer collaboration between the police and the media to enhance public safety and ensure effective dissemination of information across the Warri area.
He explained that the visit was aimed at strengthening the existing cordial relationship between both institutions, noting that such a partnership promotes societal progress and serves the public interest. Chief Omafuaire stated that journalists play an indispensable role in informing the public about the activities, achievements and sacrifices of security agencies, adding that the successes recorded by the police in combating crime deserve wider publicity.
His words: “The police cannot achieve maximum success without strategic partners like the media. When the police record breakthroughs in fighting crime or improving security, it is important that journalists are informed so that members of the public will appreciate the efforts being made.” He also appealed for greater protection for journalists while carrying out their constitutional responsibilities, noting that media practitioners are often exposed to risks in the line of duty and therefore require the support and protection of security agencies.
The NUJ chairman commended ACP Imade for transforming the Warri Area Command Headquarters through the renovation of the office complex, describing the project as evidence of purposeful leadership and commitment to providing a conducive environment for effective policing. He also praised officers and Divisional Police Officers under the command for their dedication to strengthening security across the Warri area, expressing confidence that the cordial relationship between the police and the media would continue to flourish.