The Police Will Protect You — Commissioner

The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Ifeanyi Emenari (PhD), has assured the Forum of Investigative Journalists (FoIJ) of support and protection to enable them to effectively perform their constitutionally recognized role as watchdogs of the society.

He gave the assurance when Tamenor Kwaghzer led members of the Forum on a courtesy visit to the Command Headquarters in Makurdi.

The Commissioner stated that the Command would not tolerate any form of intimidation against members of the Forum while they carry out their duties of scrutinizing individuals suspected of mismanaging public resources. He, however, urged the group to avoid actions that could compromise their professional responsibilities and undermine their right to protection against those who seek to frustrate journalists or discredit their work.

Commissioner Emenari emphasized that the Command considered the media as partners in progress and would continue to support them in serving society as watchdogs.

He appreciated the Forum for the visit, noting that it would further strengthen the partnership between the police and the media towards achieving common goals. According to him, the collaboration also helps the public understand the efforts of the Command in securing lives and property in the state.

“Our doors are open; operate within the confines of your profession, and we will support you,” he said.

Dr. Emenari thanked the Benue media community for their cooperation, describing it as a recognition of his administration’s efforts to safeguard the state since his assumption of office a few months ago.

The top cop clarified that he had no intention to harass or intimidate any journalist, including those who write critical reports about the Command’s operations. He explained that his decision was a personal conviction to allow journalists to exercise their freedom of expression.

Speaking further, the Commissioner said his belief stemmed from the understanding that when people make negative comments about others, their conscience eventually makes them slaves to the victims of their slander — a realization that often leads to positive change over time.

Dr. Emenari also clarified why responses to journalists’ inquiries about security issues are sometimes delayed. He noted that while media requests for confirmation are legitimate, the Command prefers to avoid rushing out information before receiving adequate briefings from field officers, as haste could compromise accuracy.

He, therefore, advised journalists to exercise patience, explaining that the Command always verifies and filters reports to ensure legitimacy before confirming them to the media.

In his remarks, Tamenor Kwaghzer expressed the Forum’s willingness to take advantage of the renewed synergy and assurance of protection by the Command to build stronger cooperation that enhances service to the nation.

He said the Forum would continue to deny criminals the publicity they crave — their “oxygen of survival” — and urged the Command to fast-track responses to journalists’ inquiries, adding humorously that “like Oliver Twist, we always ask for more.”