Ogun NSCDC boss seeks media collaboration to fight vandalism, protect national assets

The Ogun State Commandant of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, NSCDC, Commandant Remilekun Ekundayo, has sought deeper collaboration with the media to fight vandalism and protect critical national assets.

Ekundayo made the call on Friday when she hosted the leadership of the Correspondents’ Chapel, Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Ogun State Council, at the command headquarters in Owu-Dekudu, Abeokuta.

She described the media as an indispensable partner in national development and security management, noting that safeguarding critical infrastructure such as petroleum pipelines, power grids and telecoms facilities requires public cooperation driven by responsible reportage.

According to her, effective security management goes beyond tactical operations to include strategic communication, civic engagement and verified intelligence sharing, stressing the need for an institutionalised media-security framework to combat misinformation and stem public panic.

“I sincerely thank you for this visit. It is a clear demonstration of your commitment to strengthening the relationship between the media and security agencies, particularly in promoting public safety, protecting critical national assets and advancing peace and security across Ogun State.”

“The media remains an indispensable partner in national development and security management. Through accurate, timely and responsible reporting, journalists inform the public, raise awareness of security challenges, promote civic responsibility and support the efforts of security agencies in safeguarding lives and property.”

The Commandant also urged journalists to always verify security information with appropriate sources to avoid panic, while directing the Command’s Public Relations Officer, CSC Sulaimon Folorunso, to maintain open lines of communication with correspondents for prompt access to verified information.

She added that while law enforcement agencies must remain committed to transparency, media practitioners must equally balance the right to information with operational confidentiality and national stability.

Responding, the Chairman of the NUJ Correspondents’ Chapel, Yetunde Fatungase, underscored the commitment of correspondents to ethical journalism and patriotic engagement.

Fatungase acknowledged the statutory role of the NSCDC in internal security, private guard regulation and civil protection, reaffirming that the press remains ready to support national stability through objective reporting.

She stressed that institutional collaboration between security agencies and news organisations is vital to fostering public confidence and bridging communication gaps between the populace and law enforcement.

Ogun NSCDC boss seeks media collaboration to fight vandalism, protect national assets