The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ogun State Command, has called for stronger collaboration with the media to combat vandalism, protect critical national infrastructure and improve public confidence in security agencies.
The State Commandant, Commandant (Dr.) Remilekun Omolade Ekundayo, made the call during a meeting with the executive members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Correspondents’ Chapel, at the Command Headquarters in Owu-Dekudu, Abeokuta.
Commandant Ekundayo described the media as an indispensable partner in national development and security management, noting that effective security goes beyond tactical operations to include public enlightenment, community engagement and credible information sharing.
She stressed that protecting petroleum pipelines, telecommunications facilities, power infrastructure and other public utilities requires the active cooperation of citizens, which responsible journalism can help to promote.
The NSCDC Commandant also called for structured partnerships between security agencies and journalists to tackle misinformation, prevent unnecessary public panic during emergencies and ensure accurate reporting of security operations.
To strengthen communication and information flow, she directed the Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSC Sulaimon Folorunso, to maintain open communication channels with national correspondents in Ogun State.
She, however, urged journalists to balance the public’s right to information with operational confidentiality and the need to preserve national stability.
Responding, the Chairman of the NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel, Comrade Yetunde Fatungase, reaffirmed the commitment of journalists to ethical reporting and the promotion of national security.
Fatungase acknowledged the statutory responsibilities of the NSCDC in internal security, civil protection and the regulation of private guard companies, adding that effective collaboration between the media and security agencies would strengthen public trust and bridge communication gaps.
The meeting ended with a joint commitment by both institutions to deepen cooperation in public enlightenment, infrastructure protection and community-driven security advocacy.
