The Commandant Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps Taraba State Command Adamu Salihu has called on the media to stop glorifying criminal elements and their activities in their reportage of security matters.
The Commandant made the call when the General Manager of NTA Jalingo, Mrs Nihad Isa Umar paid him a courtesy call in his office at the State Command Headquarters, Mile Six Jalingo.
Commandant Adamu pointed out that the media tends to embolden criminal elements by magnifying their activities thereby giving them a sense of invincibility. He said that the trend must stop and activities of the security agencies in the fight against crime and insurgency must be given priority as this will boost the morale of the officers and men and push them to do more.
According to a statement issued by the Command’s spokesman, SC Iliya Samaila, Commandant Salihu said: “The media should support the fight against all forms of insecurity by reporting the gallantry of the security forces against forces of evil rather than dedicating banner headlines hyping the activities of the criminals. The efforts of the security personnel should be the focus of the media here in Taraba and the nation at large.”
Earlier in her speech, the General Manager of NTA Jalingo, Mrs Nihad Isa Umar said she was in the Command to familiarize herself with the new State Commandant and to also ask for better collaboration between the two organizations.
“I have come to appreciate the working relationship I have enjoyed with your corps since assuming office as General Manager and to also thank you for your tireless effort to ensure that the lives and properties of the inhabitants of the state are adequately secured. The NTA and its environs have been experiencing some security challenges recently and because of this I have come to plead with you to beef up security in our station to ensure the protection of our equipment and staff” she concluded.
Responding, the Commandant assured the General Manager that he would immediately deploy personnel to ensure the security of the station and its environs. He said the Commandant General NSCDC, Dr Ahmed Abubakar Audi has already directed all State Commandants to deploy men to all NTA installations within their domain.
Commandant Adamu reiterated that NTA is under the protection of the NSCDC because its installations are critical national assets that the NSCDC has the mandate to protect at all times.