By Clement Nwabuko
ABUJA (PRECISE POST) – The Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedu, has described the Nigeria Police Force and the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, as partners in the task of securing the nation, saying policing cannot succeed without the media.
The Force PRO, Iniedu, stated this during a courtesy visit to the NUJ National Secretariat at the weekend, noting that his office functions almost like that of the Senior Special Adviser to the Inspector-General of Police on strategic communication.
Appreciating the NUJ for its partnership over the years, Iniedu recalled his early working relationship with the NUJ when he served in Yobe State
According to him “The Nigerian Police Force cannot work without the NUJ. It is not possible. You are our partners in nation building and national security. I am here to push for increased collaboration and partnership. You are the experts,” Iniedu said.
He explained that no officer joins the police with the initial intention of becoming a PRO, but in the course of service, some officers find themselves in that specialized role.
While acknowledging the professional qualifications of journalists, Iniedu stressed that police spokespersons depend on journalists to push the stories of the Force correctly.
According to him, one of the gaps identified by the current administration is that the police is doing a lot but the public is not adequately aware.
He said it was a marching directive of the IGP that the Force must ensure its stories are told.
Four months into his tenure, Iniedu disclosed that the Nigeria Police has commenced operations of the Nigeria Police Television.
“Some of the team are supposed to be here. We are starting digitally, and as we proceed, we will upgrade to terrestrial and local channels. We look forward to your inputs and partnership, and we don’t mind a visit to the facility to see what we have on ground,” he said.
He added that the IGP has also ordered a comprehensive upgrade of the Nigeria Police Radio after an assessment of its facilities, with work already commencing.
Iniedu solicited training support for himself and his officers across the Public Relations Department, noting that the NUJ’s expertise would be invaluable.
Speaking on operational achievements, the Force PRO said his channels now publish daily operational reports from Commands nationwide.
He revealed a new security strategy directed by the IGP to the AIG in charge of the Police Mobile Force, PMF.
“The IGP has directed that all our 82 squadrons should move into the bushes. We have a minimum of two squadrons in every state. We are commencing a nationwide clearance operation and stability patrols.
Every state, we have identified forests and black spots in the hinterland and our men are on active patrol there with their commanders,” Iniedu said.
He noted that the PMF, currently headed by an Assistant Commissioner of Police, has already moved into forests and is recording gains, with about 22 states actively involved in the ongoing operation.
On the task ahead, he said the Force is facing an unprecedented period where the Yuletide operations will run directly into the election season.
“We have never had something like this before, where you have the Yuletide and then you are jumping into the election. Having them back-to-back is not going to be small work for us. We must work harder, and work with our relevant stakeholders to fight disinformation and ensure our men are in line so we don’t kindle that fire everybody is waiting for,” he said.
He emphasized that the era of the Force trying to do it alone is over.
“We are no longer in that aspect where we want to do it alone. We want to work with you. I listen and I take advice because one brain can’t do it all. If we collaborate properly, we will have the right results.”
Responding the National President of the NUJ Comrade Alhassan Yahya noted that the union is Open For Dialogue
The NUJ President thanked Iniedu for the visit, describing it as a day set aside to interact and discuss efforts to take the country to greater heights.
He said he has followed Iniedu since his appointment and noted that while he has often challenged police operations in the past, the antecedents of the new IGP show a leader with love for the country and new innovations for policing.
He assured that collaboration is key to changing the narrative, especially on the lingering issues of harassment and intimidation of journalists by overzealous police officers across the country, and also misconduct by some journalists.
Citing a sister security agency with which the NUJ is currently collaborating, he said the collaboration has yielded positive results, with no record of intimidation or harassment in the last one year.
“I don’t like issuing statements against the police. If you issue a statement against the police, it’s like you are denting the image of your country before the whole world.
But we cannot ignore the issues. NUJ is open for dialogue and open for collaboration. Together we can change the narrative,” he said.
He disclosed that the NUJ has developed two concepts to strengthen the relationship. The first is a model that will reduce harassment and intimidation of journalists, while the second is a proposed national dialogue that will bring together all 37 Police PROs and FCT, and NUJ leaders from across the country.
He said the NUJ structure across the six geopolitical zones will be deployed to open doors for Commissioners of Police and Zonal AIGs to interact freely with journalists in their states.
He also commended the Force for investing in its own media platforms – the Police Radio and the newly launched Police Television – noting that the NUJ has also long advocated for its own radio and television stations to sensitize and educate the public.
Comrade Yahya said establishing an NUJ television station would be a legacy project before he leaves office as President.
On capacity building, he offered the platform of the International Institute of Journalism, IIJ, an institution owned by the NUJ that runs regular short courses, for the training of police public relations personnel.
“Media has a role to play, and the role media will play is going to go a long way in sustaining and keeping us as one country.
If Nigeria is in crisis, no other country will fix it for us. By the time we work together, we will see wonders and changes,” he added.
He assured Iniedu of sustained monitoring of his engagements and pledged the NUJ’s commitment to work for the betterment of the country.
