The Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, has pledged to support community policing initiatives and called for a comprehensive strategy to tackle the growing menace of “one-chance” robberies in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Chairman of the council, Grace Ike, made the pledge while delivering a goodwill message during the operational tour of the FCT Police Command by the Deputy Inspector-General of Police in- charge of the Department of Training and Development, Isyaku Mohammed, at the command headquarters in Abuja.
Key Highlights:
Ike said the media would continue to partner with the police by disseminating verified information, sensitising residents on safety measures and highlighting successful operations aimed at restoring public confidence in security agencies.
“We stand ready to support community policing initiatives that brinag police and citizens together.
“Responsible, factual reporting helps build trust, encourages victims to report crimes, and amplifies preventive messages that save lives,” she said.
The NUJ chairman described “one-chance” robberies, in which criminals attack unsuspecting passengers in commercial and private vehicles, as a major security challenge in Abuja, noting that women and young commuters were among the worst affected.
She lamented that many victims fail to report such incidents due to distrust and a sense of helplessness, allowing perpetrators to continue operating unchecked.
Ike advocated a multi-pronged approach to addressing the crime, including intensified patrols and intelligence gathering, improved public transport safety, stronger community engagement, enhanced victim support services and sustained public awareness campaigns.
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She also urged the police to see journalists as critical partners in the fight against crime, stressing that timely dissemination of verified information would help curb misinformation and strengthen public trust.
The NUJ chairman commended the FCT Police Command for its ongoing modernisation efforts and praised the leadership of the command, particularly the police public relations office, for maintaining a cordial relationship with the media.
She reaffirmed the council’s commitment to balanced and responsible journalism that supports security efforts while promoting accountability and adherence to the rule of law.
Ike further called for regular capacity-building programmes and sustained dialogue between journalists and the police to improve collaboration in tackling insecurity.
“We need sustained collaboration across government agencies, transport unions, community leaders and the media to close the gaps that enable these crimes,” she said.
She described the inspector-general of police’s operational tour of Zone 7 as a demonstration of the police leadership’s commitment to addressing security challenges at the grassroots and wished DIG Isyaku Mohammed, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, Ahmed Sanusi, and their teams success in their operations.
