Inspector-General of Police, IGP Tunji Disu, has called for stronger collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force and the media, describing both institutions as inseparable partners in promoting national security and keeping Nigerians adequately informed.
Disu made the call on Wednesday at the 40th anniversary book launch and reunion of Vanguard Newspapers, held at the Civic Centre, Victoria Island, Lagos.
The event featured the launch of The Vanguard Chronology: 40 Years of Nigeria’s Leading Tabloid, a publication documenting major events, personalities and defining moments in Nigeria’s history through Vanguard’s coverage over four decades.
Describing the anniversary as a significant milestone, the IGP commended Vanguard for its contribution to journalism, public discourse and national development.
“I consider this a particularly significant occasion. Today, we are celebrating four decades of journalism, public discourse and a remarkable legacy,” Disu said.
He also paid tribute to Vanguard founder, Sam Amuka-Pemu, describing him as one of the defining figures in Nigerian journalism and praising his contribution to nurturing generations of journalists.
“Permit me to acknowledge the enduring legacy of Uncle Sam. He is one of the defining figures of Nigerian journalism. His career has spanned decades of Nigerian journalism, and what is remarkable is the number of journalists whose careers were nurtured in this newsroom,” he said.
Congratulating Vanguard on behalf of the Nigeria Police Force, Disu said Amuka-Pemu’s greatest legacy was reflected in the people, ideas and journalistic values he had influenced over the years.
“On behalf of the Nigeria Police Force, I extend my congratulations to Vanguard on this achievement. For us, the remarkable feat is that at 91, Uncle Sam’s legacy is an institution built in people, ideas and journalistic ideals,” he added.
The police chief stressed the importance of mutual respect and closer cooperation between security agencies and the media, particularly in the coverage of security-related issues.
“The police and the media must work together. Security and the media are twins that cannot be separated. That relationship must be built on mutual respect,” Disu said.
He noted that the media’s extensive reach and influence make it an indispensable partner in communicating security information to the public.
“The reach of the media is something no security agency can ever match,” he said.
However, Disu urged journalists to exercise caution when reporting security incidents, warning that certain details released in the course of informing the public could unintentionally provide useful information to criminal elements.
“I also wish to make a respectful appeal: in reporting security matters and informing the public, the media must recognise the difference between informing citizens and inadvertently informing criminal actors,” he said.
The IGP further encouraged journalists to pay greater attention to the human impact of insecurity, urging the media to go beyond reporting violence and highlight the experiences of victims and affected communities.
He called on the media to continue performing its watchdog and public enlightenment roles while maintaining sensitivity to national security considerations.
The 40th anniversary celebration brought together prominent figures from the political, business, diplomatic, security and media sectors, alongside former and current members of the Vanguard family, to celebrate the newspaper’s four decades of journalism and the enduring legacy of its founder.
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