The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has emphasized the importance of responsible journalism in security reporting ahead of the 2027 general elections. He made the call at a one-day capacity-building workshop on “Responsible Security Reporting Ahead of the 2027 Elections,” organised by the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) FCT Council. Disu stressed that verification and restraint are crucial in security reporting, as misinformation can inflame tensions and even cost lives.
Represented by AIG Akaninyene Ezimma, Disu noted that election security is a shared responsibility between law enforcement and the media. He warned about the rapid spread of false information, including photographs, old videos, fabricated statements, and AI-generated content, which can create fear and confrontation. Disu urged journalists to prioritize verification and resist the pressure to be first at the expense of being right, adopting the “Stop! Check! Confirm! Report!” approach.
The Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Ahmed Muhammed Sanusi, also echoed the call for verification in security reporting. He stated that responsible reporting can calm tensions, promote public understanding, and support security operations, while inaccurate or sensational reporting can create fear, panic, and distrust. Sanusi assured that the police would remain accessible and responsive to legitimate media inquiries while protecting operational integrity.
The Chairman of the NUJ FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, welcomed participants to the workshop, describing the theme as a call to balance public information with the duty to avoid harm. She outlined the objectives of the training, including strengthening the capacity of security correspondents to verify and contextualize information, apply ethical and legal standards, and collaborate constructively with security agencies.
Ike listed key priorities for participants, including verification techniques for eyewitness material, contextual reporting, source protection, principled collaboration with security agencies, ethical restraint, and digital literacy to identify deepfakes and manipulated media. The NUJ FCT Council pledged its support for journalists undertaking this demanding beat, advocating for professional safety, access to training, legal protections, and mental-health support.
Resource persons, including former NUJ Chairman Abduljelil Adebayo and Deputy Director of CJID, Busola Ajibola, stressed the need for clear distinctions between unofficial claims and official results, labeling unverified material, avoiding sensational headlines, and protecting vulnerable sources. They urged newsrooms to invest in verification workflows, fact-checking resources, and mental-health support for reporters covering traumatic events.
The workshop aimed to strengthen ties between security agencies and the press, ensuring that journalists know where to obtain authoritative information while the police build trust through transparency. The training is expected to promote peaceful democratic participation and responsible security reporting in Nigeria ahead of the 2027 polls.
Key points
- The Nigerian Police and NUJ FCT are promoting responsible security reporting to prevent misinformation and ensure peaceful 2027 elections.
- Journalists are urged to prioritize verification and restraint in security reporting to avoid inflaming tensions or causing harm.
- The workshop aims to strengthen ties between security agencies and the press, promoting transparency and trust.
