By Nkechi Eze
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, and the Chairman of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), FCT Council, Comrade Grace Ike, have urged crime correspondents to uphold accuracy, professionalism and responsible reporting to prevent fake news and disinformation from threatening national security ahead of the 2027 general elections.
They gave the charge at the 3rd Annual Conference and Awards of the Crime Correspondents Association of Nigeria (CCAN), held at the Police Resource Centre, Jabi, Abuja, with the theme, “Navigating Security Challenges in the 2027 Election: The Role of the Media in Combating Fake News.”
Disu, who emphasised the strategic importance of credible information to public trust and national security, cautioned journalists against the manipulation of facts, sensational reporting and circulation of unverified information, particularly on sensitive security matters.
He urged crime reporters to verify information before publication, noting that irresponsible media coverage could heighten public anxiety, undermine confidence in security institutions and create unnecessary tension.
The IGP also called for stronger collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and the media, describing crime correspondents as important partners in informing the public, promoting accountability and strengthening public understanding of security developments.
In her goodwill message, the NUJ FCT Chairman, Comrade Grace Ike, described the 2027 general elections as not only a political contest but also a major security event, warning that fake news and manipulated digital content could trigger violence and destabilise communities if left unchecked.
She identified false videos, fabricated reports and misleading information about alleged attacks as emerging threats capable of escalating tensions within minutes.
According to her, crime reporters occupy a critical position in preventing the spread of misinformation because of their proximity to security developments and their responsibility to inform the public.
“Crime reporting is not for the faint-hearted. You are often the first to arrive at scenes of violence, the first to ask questions and the first to be threatened for telling the truth,” she said.
Ike urged journalists to strengthen their verification processes by asking critical questions about the origin, authenticity, location and timing of information before publishing.
She specifically advised reporters to establish the source of videos and photographs, verify when and where incidents occurred, and cross-check information with relevant authorities, including the police, Department of State Services (DSS), military, community leaders and eyewitnesses.
“Do not just copy and paste. Speak to the police, the DSS, security agencies, community leaders and eyewitnesses to make sure your facts are correct before you publish,” she cautioned.
The NUJ chairman also warned journalists against allowing criminal elements and political actors to exploit their platforms to promote false narratives, incite violence or create unnecessary fear.
She urged crime correspondents to distinguish ordinary criminal incidents from politically motivated violence, stressing that not every crime or security incident should be presented as an attack on the national security architecture.
“If it is not verified, please do not write. That single discipline can save lives,” she declared.
Ike further raised concerns about the safety of journalists covering the 2027 elections, warning that crime correspondents could face harassment, intimidation and physical attacks in the course of their assignments.
She advised journalists to prioritise personal safety by sharing their locations with their newsrooms, wearing proper press identification and avoiding visits to potentially dangerous locations alone.
While calling on security agencies to recognise journalists as partners rather than adversaries, she urged them to provide timely and accurate information to prevent speculation and misinformation.
“To our security agencies, we are not your enemies. The police are your friends. If you see something, say something. As journalists, we are your friends, but when we see something, we will write something,” she said.
She also challenged journalists to use their platforms to educate voters, debunk falsehoods, promote peaceful electoral conduct and hold politicians, security agencies and the media accountable.
Earlier, CCAN Chairman, Festus Ejiroghene Fifen, said the growing spread of fake news, manipulated media and unverified rumours had made responsible journalism increasingly important to national security, particularly during election periods.
He warned that misinformation could trigger communal clashes, disrupt security operations and erode public confidence in electoral institutions.
Fifen described crime correspondents as a critical link between security institutions and the public, stressing that their responsibility extended beyond reporting incidents to ensuring that information reaching citizens was accurate, balanced and constructive.
“For crime correspondents, news is said to be the first draft of history. It is also a first line of defence for public safety,” he said.
He called for institutionalised conflict-sensitive journalism ahead of the 2027 elections, urging reporters to avoid sensational headlines and narratives capable of inflaming ethnic and political tensions.
The CCAN chairman also advocated specialised training in fact-checking, digital forensics and crisis reporting, alongside improved access to protective equipment, safety kits, logistics and life insurance for journalists covering security operations and conflict zones.
He further urged security agencies to involve crime correspondents in scenario-building exercises and pre-election security simulations to strengthen collaboration and ensure effective public communication.
Fifen expressed concern over the inadequate welfare support available to journalists covering security assignments, arguing that resources spent on event branding, souvenirs and elaborate catering should be channelled towards journalists’ safety and professional development.
“Journalism cannot feed on souvenirs, and capacity cannot be built on a plate of rice and periodic handouts,” he declared.
Also speaking, the Executive Secretary of the Nigeria Police Trust Fund, Alhaji Mohammed Sheidu, represented by a senior official of the Fund, described the conference as timely, given the growing threat of fake news as Nigeria prepares for the 2027 elections.
He cautioned that false reports could undermine public confidence in security institutions and threaten national stability, urging journalists to embrace verification, professional standards and constructive engagement.
Sheidu reaffirmed the Fund’s commitment to strengthening the Nigeria Police Force through improved training, equipment, technology, institutional capacity and personnel welfare.
The conference featured discussions on election security, media responsibility and strategies for combating misinformation, as well as an awards segment recognising individuals and institutions for their contributions to national security and professional journalism.
