By Joel Gwom,
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 7 Headquarters, Abuja, AIG Victor Olaiya, psc(+), has commenced a two-day media interaction aimed at strengthening Police-Media relations, promoting responsible security reporting and addressing the growing challenge of misinformation and disinformation in the digital age.
The programme, which opened on Monday, 15th September, 2026 at the Barcelona Hotel, Wuse Zone 2, Abuja, is themed: “Reporting Security in the Digital Age: Curtailing Misinformation, Preventing Panic and Upholding Fact-Based Journalism in Nigeria.”
The initiative, organised by the Zone 7 Police Headquarters in collaboration with the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), brings together 30 selected media professionals, including journalists, content creators, digital media practitioners and other stakeholders.
The media interaction reflects the commitment of the Zone 7 leadership, under AIG Olaiya, to fostering a stronger, more informed and constructive partnership between the Police and the media as critical partners in public safety and security communication.
Speaking at the opening ceremony, the Zone 7 leadership emphasised the need for accurate, timely and responsible dissemination of security information, particularly at a time when digital platforms have significantly accelerated the speed at which both information and misinformation reach the public.
The two-day engagement will provide participants with practical insights into media ethics, information disorder, artificial intelligence, crisis communication and the responsibilities of media practitioners in preventing unnecessary fear and panic.
The Zone 7 Headquarters notes that effective security communication is a shared responsibility. While the Police has a duty to provide credible and timely information, the media remains an indispensable partner in ensuring that such information is accurately interpreted and responsibly communicated to the public.
The engagement, therefore, seeks to strengthen professional relationships, encourage verification and fact-checking, promote ethical digital communication and entrench a culture of responsible security reporting.
The Zone 7 Police Headquarters, under the leadership of AIG Victor Olaiya, reaffirmed its commitment to people-centred policing, professional communication, transparency and sustained engagement with the media and other stakeholders across the Federal Capital Territory and Niger States.
