The Nigerian Institute of Public Relations (NIPR), Benue State Chapter, has proposed a strategic partnership with the Benue State Police Command to strengthen security communication, build public trust and improve community engagement.
The proposal was made when a delegation of the institute, led by its Chairman, Dr Philip Toryue, paid a courtesy visit to the Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Cletus C. N. Nwadiogbu, at the command headquarters in Makurdi.
Toryue said the proposed partnership was aimed at strengthening the relationship between the police and the people through professional communication and public relations strategies.
He noted that modern policing went beyond physical operations, stressing that public perception, community confidence and effective crisis communication were equally important to security management.
The NIPR chairman proposed collaboration in strategic communication and media relations, crisis and emergency communication, capacity building for police personnel, public enlightenment campaigns, reputation management and community trust building.
He also offered the institute’s support in protocol and media management during major events, as well as access to professional resource persons, training and certification for police communication officers, media networks and public relations tools.
“A safer Benue requires not only boots on the ground but also a positive narrative in the minds of the people. Together, we can achieve both,” Toryue said.
Responding, Nwadiogbu welcomed the proposal, saying the professional expertise offered by NIPR was needed to address communication challenges affecting security operations in the state.
The Commissioner said Benue had experienced challenges arising from poor information management and, in some instances, false alarms concerning security incidents.
He stressed the importance of effective information management in the fight against terrorism and insecurity, noting that terrorists often exploit information and fear to achieve their objectives.
“Terrorism thrives through information as fear is the major weapon that terrorists use to achieve their goals,” he said.
Nwadiogbu consequently expressed the command’s readiness to explore the proposed partnership with NIPR.
Also speaking, former Chief Medical Director of Benue State University Teaching Hospital and former Permanent Secretary, Ministry of Health and Human Services, Dr Cephas Hough, and former Director-General of Radio Benue, Dr Charles Iornumbe, commended the police commissioner for what they described as positive developments since his assumption of office.
They cited the restoration of peace and order in Ayilamo, Logo Local Government Area, as one of the outcomes of the command’s efforts and urged the commissioner to sustain the momentum.
The NIPR members also called for the expansion and strengthening of the Police Public Relations Unit through the recruitment and training of more personnel to improve the command’s communication with the public.
The institute said the proposed collaboration was expected to provide a more coordinated approach to security messaging, public enlightenment and crisis communication, particularly at a time when misinformation and public anxiety can complicate security operations.
