By; Abdull-Azeez Ahmed Kadir, Kaduna.
Commissioner Kaduna State Police Command, Usman Umar Shehu has decried the blackout of its achievements by the media in the state even as the Command always give Journalists all the necessary lee way to do ease their job.
Shehu said it surprises him to see minor crime cases given prominence by the media, but the successes of the Command in policing are not being reported or under reported by not givien the prominence it deserve.
Speaking when the executive members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Kaduna State Council paid him a courtesy call in his office at the State Police Command Headquarters Wednesday, the CP complained that cases involving prominent persons are given undue publicity by the media, instead of the ordinary citizens who deserved such publicity.
“It is not proper and counterproductive to the actual essence of the media that works for the good of the people and holds the government accountable to them to focus special attention on big men and women, while ordinary people wallow in pains” he stressed.
Shehu reiterated that whenever the Command makes a breakthrough or even lost men and officers in crime prevention and control, the media look the other way, and hardly report it prominently on the front pages or as headlines news items in the broadcast bulletins, but when a minor crime case occur, Journalists rush to hear the side of the Police and report with prominence.
He assured that the Command under him is records landmark achievements in crime prevention and control, which made both the Inspector General of Police IGP and the Kaduna State Governor, Nasir Ahmad El-Rufai to give them letters of commendation.
The CP then appealled for increased synergy and collaboration with the media by making it a periodic event of interacting with journalists so that their successes are reported on daily, weekly and monthly basis.
“We don’t have problem with the media reporting criminal acts, but as they do that, they should also balance up by reporting our victories, accomplishments and feats, please.”
Earlier in his remark, the NUJ Chairman, Comrade Garba Mohammed told the CP that the council is ready to synergise with the Police for the benefit of the larger society.
Mohammed also revealed to the Police boss that journalists often encounter hitches in the course of their duties to balance their reports when they try to hear the side of the Police in regards to criminal acts.
The NUJ Chairman enumerated some of the council’s successes so far in about three months in office such as introduction of entrepreneurship training for members due to irregular salaries, as well as professional training and retraining for members.
He also solicited for a establishment of a forum between Journalists and the Police whereby issues bordering on security, crime control and prevention would be discussed periodically.
“We are ever ready to listen to anyone and take necessary action, if reports of unethical conducts are reported to us. This is a new leadership in the making.
“Again, we are one and do not have any faction as some are trying to make the Police Command believe” Mohammed stressed.
