By Daniel Peres, Minna
Newly posted Niger State Commissioner of Police, Adamu Elleman, yesterday sought the collaboration with the Nigerian Union of Journalists (NUJ), Niger Council to enhance security in the state.
Elleman said this when he paid a courtesy visit to the NUJ Niger council in Minna yesterday, describing journalists as the “eyes and ears of the masses.”
He emphasised the critical role of journalists and sought their support in gathering intelligence and promoting security awareness.
“We need journalists to come to us and tell us their observations. We are here to protect the rights of citizens and not to violate their rights, within our constitutional powers ,” he said.
The CP promised to be neutral and non-partisan, adding that journalists were his friends wherever he worked.
“I always call on them anytime because of the role they play,” he said.
Elleman commended the NUJ’s role in assisting the police to tackle thuggery in the state, noting that the menace was gradually reducing.
With the assistance of NUJ, the issue of thuggery is going down, and we need this synergy to continue,” he added.
Responding, the Chairman of NUJ, Niger Council, Abu Nmodu, appreciated the CP’s gesture, describing him as a “man of peace who believes in the rule of law.
He assured the CP of the council’s adequate support, noting that relative peace had returned to Minna metropolis since his assumption of office.
“We will continue to support you, but we advise you to be wary of politicians who only seek support when they need something.
“As a journalist, we are only valuable to a politician when they need us, If you don’t have a platform that they can use, you are not useful to them,” he added.
Nmodu also urged the CP to instruct his men to understand journalists in the course of discharging their duties.
The NUJ Chairman described the CP’s visit as a first since their assumption of office in 2021, saying it “calls for total support to him to succeed.”