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Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, has reaffirmed the commitment of the media to supporting community policing initiatives, while calling for a coordinated and holistic response to the growing menace of “one-chance” robberies in the Federal Capital Territory (FCT).
Ike pledged 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, DIG Isyaku Mohammed, at the Command Headquarters in Abuja.
She said the media remains a critical partner in strengthening public safety through responsible journalism, pledging that the NUJ FCT Council would continue to work closely with the Nigeria Police Force to amplify verified information, educate residents on crime prevention, and highlight successful security operations that inspire public confidence.
“We stand ready to support community policing initiatives that bring police and citizens together,” she said.
“Responsible, factual reporting helps build trust, encourages victims to report crimes, and amplifies preventive messages that save lives.”
The NUJ chairman expressed concern over the increasing prevalence of “one-chance” robberies in Abuja, describing the crime as a serious security challenge that has left many residents, particularly women and young commuters, vulnerable to attacks by criminals posing as commercial or private vehicle operators.
According to her, many victims fail to report such incidents due to fear, trauma, or a lack of confidence in the justice system, a situation she warned allows perpetrators to continue operating with impunity.
To effectively address the problem, Ike advocated a comprehensive strategy that goes beyond law enforcement. She called for strengthened intelligence gathering, increased security patrols, improved safety measures within the public transport system, sustained community engagement, accessible victim support services, and targeted public awareness campaigns.
She also stressed the importance of treating journalists as strategic partners in the fight against crime, noting that timely access to verified information would help counter misinformation, encourage citizens to cooperate with security agencies, and foster greater trust between the police and the public.
Ike 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 assured that the NUJ FCT Council would continue to uphold the principles of balanced, factual and accountable journalism by projecting the achievements of security agencies while promoting transparency, professionalism and adherence to the rule of law.
The NUJ chairman further advocated regular dialogue and capacity-building programmes involving journalists and security agencies to strengthen mutual understanding and improve coordinated responses to emerging security challenges.
“We need sustained collaboration across government agencies, transport unions, community leaders, and the media to close the gaps that enable these crimes,” she said.
Ike described the Inspector-General of Police’s operational tour of Zone 7 as a demonstration of the commitment of the police leadership to addressing security concerns at the grassroots level.
She wished DIG Isyaku Mohammed, the Commissioner of Police, FCT Command, CP (Prof.) Ahmed Mohammed Sanusi and officers of the command continued success in their efforts to safeguard lives and property across the nation’s capital.
