The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has emphasized the urgent need for enhanced collaboration between the Nigeria Police and the media to restore public confidence and improve policing outcomes across the country.
RULAAC Executive Director, Mr. Okechukwu Nwanguma, made the remarks during a One-Day Police and Media Dialogue Session in Enugu, noting that effective policing in a democracy cannot exist without public trust.
He highlighted that the relationship between the police and the public remains fragile due to years of corruption, brutality, weak accountability, and poor service delivery.
“Most citizens form their perception of the police through personal encounters and media reports, making the media a key partner in policing reforms,” Nwanguma said.
He added that many Nigerians, particularly youths, women, and other vulnerable groups, often view the police as agents of fear rather than protection, underscoring the need for urgent reform and engagement.
He noted that survivors of sexual and gender-based violence frequently face secondary victimisation at police stations through disbelief, stigma, extortion and ridicule, discouraging them from seeking justice.
He described the Nigeria Police Act 2020 as a landmark reform meant to promote professionalism, accountability, human rights protection, community policing and gender-sensitive law enforcement.
The RULAAC boss, however, lamented that implementation of the Act remains weak nearly six years after its enactment, citing persistent cases of monetised bail, illegal detention, torture, abuse of power and ineffective oversight.
He said entrenched impunity, corruption and lack of political will have undermined the objectives of the law.
On gender-responsive policing, Nwanguma said law enforcement must recognise that crime and policing affect men, women, boys and girls differently.
He stressed the need for sensitive handling of sexual and gender-based violence cases and improved protection, training and career opportunities for female police officers.
He said mutual suspicion continues to characterise police-media relations, with police accusing journalists of sensational reporting, while journalists complain of secrecy, harassment and arrests in the course of duty.
Nwanguma warned that intimidation of journalists weakens press freedom and public confidence, while unverified reports can also damage institutional credibility.
He called for regular dialogue platforms, joint training, improved information sharing and stronger police public relations systems to strengthen cooperation.
Speaking in a related presentation on humanising the police, Nwanguma said poor welfare and working conditions have contributed significantly to corruption and misconduct within the force.
He said many officers operate without adequate allowances, accommodation, logistics and equipment, creating conditions that encourage unethical conduct.
He maintained that improving police welfare is a strategic measure to reduce corruption and enhance professionalism, not a reward for misconduct.
While condemning corruption, he said some officers remain committed to ethical service but are often overshadowed by widespread misconduct.
Nwanguma said the Police Act provides for recognition and commendation of officers who demonstrate professionalism and integrity, but noted that the provision is underutilised.
He recalled that during the #EndSARS protests in 2020, some police officers maintained their posts and engaged peacefully with protesters because they had built community trust through professionalism.
According to him, deliberate recognition and reward of ethical officers would help reinforce professional standards and gradually transform police culture.
He stressed that sustainable police reform must combine improved welfare with strict accountability mechanisms.
Nwanguma described the police and the media as partners in public safety, democracy and human rights, urging both sides to embrace transparency, professionalism and continuous engagement.
He said stronger police-media cooperation would encourage crime reporting, improve policing effectiveness, enhance protection for vulnerable groups and strengthen democratic governance.
