Lauretta Fagbohun
Abeokuta.
The Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Ogun State Command, has called for stronger collaboration with journalists to combat vandalism and safeguard critical national infrastructure.
The State Commandant, Commandant (Dr.) Remilekun Omolade Ekundayo, made the call during a meeting with executive members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Correspondents’ Chapel, at the command headquarters in Owu-Dekudu, Abeokuta, on Friday.
Ekundayo said effective security management required more than tactical operations, stressing the importance of public enlightenment, credible information sharing and active community participation in tackling security threats.
She identified petroleum pipelines, telecommunications infrastructure, power grids and public utilities as critical national assets requiring collective protection, noting that responsible media reportage could encourage public cooperation and help prevent vandalism.
The commandant also stressed the need for security agencies across the country to establish structured partnerships with journalists to counter misinformation, prevent unnecessary panic during emergencies and strengthen public confidence in security institutions.
To improve communication and ensure the timely dissemination of verified information, she directed the command’s Public Relations Officer, CSC Sulaimon Folorunso, to maintain open communication channels with national correspondents operating in Ogun State.
While reaffirming the need for transparency in security operations, Ekundayo urged journalists to balance the public’s right to information with operational confidentiality and national stability.
Responding, the Chairman of the NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel, Comrade Yetunde Fatungase, pledged the commitment of journalists to ethical journalism and objective reporting in support of national security.
Fatungase acknowledged the NSCDC’s statutory responsibilities in internal security, civil protection and the regulation of private guard companies, adding that effective engagement between the media and security agencies was essential to bridging communication gaps and building public trust.
She said sustained collaboration between journalists and security institutions would promote public enlightenment, strengthen community participation in security matters and improve the flow of credible information to citizens.
The meeting ended with both institutions pledging to deepen their collaboration in public enlightenment, protection of critical infrastructure and community-driven security advocacy.
