By Sam Tyav, Makurdi
Assistant Inspector General of Police (AIG), Zone 4, Mr Zachariah Fera Achinyan, has assured of cooperation and strong collaboration with journalists to achieve more effective policing in the zone.
The AIG, who disclosed this during a courtesy call on him by journalists in Benue State led by Chairman, State Council, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Comrade Bemdoo Ugber, encouraged newsmen to beam searchlight on persons believed to have hatred for the media.
Achinyan said that the doors to his office were open for stronger cooperation and collaboration with journalists to enable him succeed on the job.
The AIG, who advised journalists to intimate him on challenges encountered in the course of the partnership meant to safeguard life and property across the zone, insisted that newsmen must focus on those with sinister intentions so as to expose bad eggs in society.
The police boss told journalists to extend same searchlight on police personnel who distance themselves from the media, explaining that the practice of journalism does not reserve any safe haven for bad elements in society, let alone shield those with ulterior agenda.
According to him, members of the public who show dislike for journalists have something suspicious to hide that is not in the interest of everyone else in society.
Earlier in his remarks, Comrade Ugber appreciated AIG Achinyan for the resolve to secure the zone notwithstanding the fact that the zone tends to become one of the most crises-ridden places in North Central Nigeria.
He appreciated the AIG for the confidence reposed in the media as exemplified by the audience granted the Forum of Investigative Journalists (FIJ) and now, the NUJ, saying such gesture demonstrated intentions towards true partnership.
Appreciating the AIG further, Ugber noted that since his assumption of duty in the zone, politicians have not been allowed to harass any journalist in the state.
He appealed to the AIG to keep doing the good work and thanked him again for ensuring the reduction of road blocks on highways, thus easing traffic flow.
Nonetheless, he urged the AIG to extend same measure to the rural areas where, he alleged, some personnel appear to be “suffocating” users of motorcycles.
