The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) is moving to strengthen its fight against crime and misinformation by expanding direct, factual and transparent communication with the public, with the planned Nigeria Police Television Network (NPFTV) positioned as a key platform for the initiative, it has emerged.

The initiative forms part of Inspector General of Police (IGP), Olutunji Disu’s approach to modernising police communications and creating a more direct relationship between the Force and citizens, particularly through factual, proactive and public-centred broadcasting.

Accordingly, the IG approved the appointment of pan-African communications expert and corporate governance strategist, Dr Nicholas Enubuzor, as Principal Consultant to the IGP and the Nigeria Police Force.

In a statement on Tuesday by Enubuzor, his first assignment will be to lead the operational setup, technical framework and strategic direction of the pioneer NPFTV, which the police said is intended to provide an authentic channel for communicating crime prevention efforts, public safety advisories, community policing successes and internal accountability measures.

Speaking on the appointment, the IG was quoted as noting that building institutional trust required open, transparent and direct engagement with the public, adding that the television network would provide the Force with an avenue to communicate its activities and public safety interventions without relying solely on third-party platforms.

Under his mandate, Enubuzor will oversee the establishment and technical development of police broadcasting facilities across the country, while also developing specialised training programmes for personnel working within the Force’s media and public perception architecture.

The initiative is also expected to strengthen the police’s capacity to respond to misinformation and provide timely information to citizens on security incidents, crime prevention measures and other issues affecting public safety.

Reacting, Enubuzor expressed appreciation to the IGP for the confidence reposed in him, pledging to deploy his experience in corporate governance and communications to strengthen synergy and trust between the police and the public.

He said the objective would be to contribute to a Nigeria Police Force that Nigerians could engage with more confidently, while promoting professionalism, humanity, accuracy and civic responsibility through a world-class broadcast network. (The Nation)