The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has called for stronger collaboration between the Nigeria Police and the media as a critical step toward rebuilding public trust and improving policing outcomes nationwide.
Speaking at a one-day Police and Media Dialogue Session in Enugu, Okechukwu Nwanguma, RULAAC’s Executive Director said effective policing in a democracy depends on public confidence, which remains fragile due to years of corruption, brutality, weak accountability, and poor service delivery.
Nwanguma noted that public perception of the police is largely shaped by personal encounters and media coverage, making journalists key partners in police reform. He said many Nigerians, especially youths, women, and other vulnerable groups, often see the police as a source of fear rather than protection.
He highlighted the challenges faced by survivors of sexual and gender-based violence, who, he said, are frequently subjected to disbelief, stigma, extortion, and ridicule at police stations, discouraging them from seeking justice.
While describing the Nigeria Police Act 2020 as a landmark reform designed to promote professionalism, accountability, human rights, and community policing, Nwanguma lamented its poor implementation nearly six years after enactment. He cited persistent issues such as monetised bail, illegal detention, torture, abuse of power, and weak oversight, blaming entrenched impunity and lack of political will.
On gender-responsive policing, he stressed that crime affects men and women differently and called for more sensitive handling of gender-based violence cases, as well as better protection, training, and career opportunities for female officers.
Nwanguma also pointed to mutual distrust between the police and the media. He said police often accuse journalists of sensationalism, while journalists complain of secrecy, harassment, and arrests. He warned that intimidating journalists undermines press freedom, just as unverified reporting can damage institutional credibility.
To address these gaps, he proposed regular dialogue platforms, joint trainings, improved information sharing, and stronger police public relations systems.
He further linked police misconduct to poor welfare and working conditions, noting that inadequate allowances, accommodation, logistics, and equipment create incentives for corruption. Improving welfare, he said, should be seen as a strategic reform tool, not a reward for misconduct.
While acknowledging widespread challenges, Nwanguma said many officers still uphold professional standards but are often overshadowed. He urged authorities to recognise and reward ethical officers, as предусмотрed under the Police Act, recalling that during the #EndSARS protests, some officers earned public trust through professionalism and restraint.
He concluded that sustainable police reform requires a balance of improved welfare and strict accountability, describing the police and the media as natural partners in public safety, democracy, and human rights.
According to him, stronger police–media cooperation would encourage crime reporting, protect vulnerable groups, improve policing effectiveness, and deepen democratic governance.
