New Edo Police Chief Solicits Media Support

Benin – By Oladipo Airenakho
Edo State new Commissioner of Police, Mr. Sam Damilola Adegbuyi, has appealed to members of the Nigeria Union of Journalists [NUJ] in the state not to rest on their oars in supporting men of the command in providing adequate security for lives and properties of residents.

1]From left are Edo NUJ Secretary,Mr. Titus Akhigbe, Edo NUJ Chairman,Mr. Desmond Agbama, Edo State Police Commissioner, Mr.Sam Damilola Adegbuyi and two other senior officers of the command.

He made the appeal while speaking at the occasion to acquaint himself with the correspondents of various media organizations in Benin City, Edo State during the week.

Mr. Adegbuyi was recently posted to Edo State in a nation-wide redeployment of 16 police commissioners by the Police Service Commission on February 3 ahead of the 2015 general elections in the country.

The new police chief who also drew attention to the upcoming general elections between March and April 2015 said he recognized the immense role the media play in nurturing democracy in a society and would therefore want to synergize with them and other stakeholders in ensuring successful violent-free polls.

He recognized the fact that there is no society that grows without media freedom and therefore would want to partner with the media before, during and after the general elections in ensuring safe and secure Edo state.

Crime control, the commissioner said, is not the monopoly of the police force, promised to sustain his predecessor’s existing cordial relationship between the men of the Police Command and representatives of the various media organizations in the state.

Edo State Police Command PRO,DSP Edogiawere and another senior police officer of the command.

Mr. Adegbuyi said his office would always be open to enable journalists to cross-check their facts and get clarifications.

The Chairman of Edo NUJ, Mr. Desmond Agbama, in his response on behalf of the media representatives advised the state police boss not only to build on the existing robust relationship between his command and the press, but also consider working with the traditional institutions for better community policing.

He reminded him of the up-coming general elections and the need to provide adequate security for representatives of the various media organizations that will be on duty during the period.