Daud Olatunji
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps and the Nigeria Union of Journalists have called for an institutionalised national media-security framework to strengthen the protection of critical infrastructure, combat misinformation and improve public confidence in security agencies.
The call was made during a meeting between the Ogun State Command of the NSCDC and the executive members of the NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel at the corps’ headquarters in Owu-Dekudu, Abeokuta, Ogun State.
The two institutions stressed the need for structured collaboration between security agencies and journalists to address emerging security threats, including pipeline vandalism, attacks on public infrastructure and the spread of unverified information capable of undermining public safety.
The Ogun State Commandant of the NSCDC, Dr Remilekun Ekundayo, described the media as an indispensable partner in national development and security management, noting that effective security operations required more than physical enforcement.
Ekundayo said strategic communication, public enlightenment, community engagement and credible information sharing were essential to tackling security challenges and protecting national assets.
She identified petroleum pipelines, telecommunications facilities, power infrastructure and public utilities as critical national assets requiring sustained protection through cooperation between security agencies and members of the public.
According to her, responsible journalism can help security agencies mobilise public support, promote vigilance and encourage citizens to provide useful information on suspicious activities threatening critical infrastructure.
She maintained that security agencies across the country needed to establish structured partnerships with journalists to counter misinformation, prevent unnecessary public panic during emergencies and ensure that verified information reached citizens promptly.
The commandant also emphasised the need for a balance between transparency and operational confidentiality, urging security agencies to provide credible information while encouraging journalists to exercise professional judgement when reporting sensitive security matters.
To strengthen communication and facilitate access to verified information, Ekundayo directed the command’s Public Relations Officer, CSC Sulaimon Folorunso, to maintain open communication channels with national correspondents operating in Ogun State.
She said effective engagement between the media and security agencies would help bridge information gaps, reduce speculation and promote public understanding of security operations.
The commandant’s position comes amid persistent concerns over threats to critical infrastructure and the need for stronger collaboration between security institutions and communities to prevent vandalism and other criminal activities.
Responding on behalf of the journalists, the Chairman of the NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel, Yetunde Fatungase, reaffirmed the commitment of national correspondents to ethical journalism, objective reporting and responsible engagement on security issues.
Fatungase acknowledged the statutory responsibilities of the NSCDC in internal security, civil protection and the regulation of private guard companies, stressing that the media had an important role to play in supporting national stability through accurate and balanced reporting.
She said institutional cooperation between security agencies and media organisations was necessary to build public confidence, improve information flow and address communication gaps between law enforcement institutions and the communities they serve.
The NUJ chairman, however, underscored the importance of credible information and professional journalism in ensuring that citizens remained adequately informed about security developments without being exposed to misleading reports.
She reiterated the readiness of the correspondents to support public enlightenment and security awareness through responsible reportage.
The engagement ended with a joint commitment by the NSCDC and the NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel to strengthen cooperation in public enlightenment, critical infrastructure protection and community-driven security advocacy.
Both institutions expressed the need for closer engagement to promote a more informed public, strengthen trust between citizens and security agencies, and encourage collective action against threats to national security.
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