By Ndife David, Awka.
The Anambra State Police Command has urged journalists to uphold the highest ethical standards in reporting security matters, announcing plans to introduce special identification tags for accredited media practitioners to enhance their safety during official assignments.
The Command’s Public Relations Officer, Superintendent of Police Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this while receiving the newly elected executive of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), ABS Chapel, during a courtesy visit to the Police Command Headquarters in Amawbia.
Ikenga stressed the need for journalists to verify information before publication, avoid sensational or emotionally driven reports, and always consider the security implications of stories capable of affecting public safety or ongoing operations.
He called for stronger collaboration between the media, the Police and other security agencies, noting that accurate, balanced and timely reporting remains critical to strengthening public confidence and supporting efforts to combat crime across the state.
The Police spokesman also revealed that the Command is finalizing arrangements for the introduction of special identification tags for accredited journalists to enable security personnel easily recognize media professionals covering security operations, emergencies and other official duties.
According to him, the initiative will improve the safety of journalists in the line of duty while further deepening the existing partnership between the Police and the media in promoting peace, accountability and responsible information dissemination.
Ikenga further highlighted recent operational achievements of the Command, including the arrest of suspected kidnappers, the rescue of victims and the recovery of firearms and other exhibits through intelligence-driven operations, reaffirming the Command’s resolve to sustain the fight against crime and protect lives and property in Anambra State.
The Chairman of the NUJ, ABS Chapel, Comrade Emmanuel Okonkwo, also commended the Police Command for its sustained efforts against criminality, praised Ikenga’s accessibility and support for journalists, and reaffirmed the new executive’s commitment to ethical journalism and stronger collaboration with security agencies in advancing peace, security and sustainable development in the state.
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