By Kenneth Onuoha
Police Commissioner, Ebonyi State Police Command, CP Aliyu Garba, has assured of a better synergy between the Command and the Journalists to stamp out crimes and criminality in the State.
Mr Garba who stated this while playing host to the members of Correspondents’ Chapel of Nigeria Union Journalists (NUJ),Ebonyi State, on Monday in his office, noted that the Police and the Journalists needed to work together for effective crime detection and prevention.
He, however, emphasized that Journalists should do more of balanced and investigative reportage, for the synergy to work effectively.
“The police and the Journalists, in general, suppose to work together. One, the police with its responsibilities of prevention of and detection of crime, the Journalists should inform the public.
“Information is key in every thing one is doing in his day to day responsibility. And that’s why the police just as the Journalists seek for information. But the information the Police need is credible and reliable information, so as to nip at the bud, crimes and criminality. And with Journalists playing their role of sensitization, believe you me, we will be able to nip at the bud these crimes.
“People must be security conscious, and it is you that will tell the public. So, information is key, but it must be very reliable and credible.
“The Command is ready to cooperate with you. We are not saying that we should not be criticised but let it be very constructive.
“Every Journalist should try to be an investigative Journalist. You must try to compare and contrast and come up with something that will be relatively good and fine. I think if we adopt this method, believe you me, the end will justify the means,” the Police Commissioner stated.
Earlier, the Chairman of Correspondents’ Chapel in the State, Comrade Nwafor Samson, in his mission statement, said they were in Mr Garba’s offfice to officially notify him of the emergence of a new Chapel executive led by him.
Nwafor who praised Commissioner Garba for the ability and commitment he had shown in containing crimes and criminality in the State, assured him of the continual cooperation and partnership of the Chapel with the Command.
“We commend you very highly for the exploits the Ebonyi State Police Command has made in crime detection and prevention under your watch. You assumed office when the State was faced with too many security challenges but you have demonstrated capacity and has truly shown that you came prepared”, Nwafor said.