The Nigeria Police Force has pledged to protect lives and property and provide a secure environment for Nigerians to exercise their democratic rights during the 2027 general elections. This assurance was given by the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Disu, at a one-day workshop organised by the FCT Nigerian Union of Journalists. The police have a responsibility to maintain law and order, and they are committed to ensuring citizens' safety.
The Inspector-General of Police, represented by the Director of the Nigeria Police Force National Cybercrime Centre, AIG Akaninyene Ezima, described the media as a crucial partner in election security. He noted that journalists play a significant role in shaping how Nigerians understand developments during the electoral process. The media has the power to shape public perception, and this power must be exercised with responsibility.
Disu urged journalists to verify information before publication, particularly sensitive security reports that could create fear or trigger confrontation. He warned that false information could spread rapidly through social media, citing recycled videos, fabricated statements, and artificial intelligence-generated content as some of the challenges facing election reporting. Journalists must prioritize accuracy over being the first to publish.
The Inspector-General of Police also called for stronger communication between security agencies and journalists ahead of the elections. He said journalists should know where to obtain authoritative information, how to verify security alerts, and whom to contact when conflicting reports emerge. The police will remain accessible, transparent, and responsive to legitimate media inquiries.
Disu emphasized that the Nigeria Police Force needs the media, and the media needs credible security information. He urged journalists to report responsibly before, during, and after the elections, saying the period after the polls could be as sensitive as Election Day. The police and media must work together in the public interest.
The NUJ FCT chairperson, Grace Ike, urged journalists to protect confidential sources, victims, and vulnerable witnesses, while avoiding publication of sensitive details that could compromise security operations or endanger lives. She also called on security agencies to engage transparently with journalists and respect press freedom.
Ike stressed that responsible reporting could help protect communities and strengthen public confidence in the electoral process. Journalists should balance the public's right to know with the responsibility to avoid harm. The 2027 elections will come and go, but Nigeria will remain, and communities will continue to live together after the headlines have disappeared.
Key points
- Nigeria Police Force pledges to protect lives and property during 2027 general elections
- Journalists urged to verify information before publication to avoid spreading false information
- Police and media called to work together to ensure responsible reporting and a secure electoral process
