The Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, CP Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, has reaffirmed the command’s commitment to strengthening relations with the media and ensuring the safety of journalists in the discharge of their professional duties.

Afolabi gave the assurance on Monday, October 12, 2026, during a security lecture and interactive session organised by the Nigeria Association of Women Journalists (NAWOJ), Abia State Chapter, in Umuahia.

The event, which celebrated the courage, dreams and potential of the girl child, brought together stakeholders from the security sector and the media to discuss journalists’ safety, responsible reporting and cooperation between the police and the press.

Addressing participants, the police commissioner described journalism as a profession that requires courage, commitment and responsibility. He noted that journalists play vital roles in promoting democracy, accountability and public enlightenment but often face dangerous situations while covering protests, communal clashes, crime scenes and other security incidents.

He particularly highlighted the safety challenges confronting female journalists, including gender-based harassment, intimidation, cyberstalking and online threats.

Afolabi urged journalists to prioritise their personal safety over the pressure to break news, stressing that no story was worth risking their lives.

He advised media practitioners to assess security risks before embarking on assignments in volatile locations, inform their editors and colleagues of their movements, maintain regular communication, identify escape routes and adhere to established safety procedures.

The commissioner also cautioned journalists against carelessly sharing live locations, travel plans and personal information on digital platforms, noting that such disclosures could expose them to cyber threats and stalking.

He further disclosed that the command’s Cybercrime Unit was available to address digital security concerns and urged journalists facing credible threats to report them to the appropriate authorities. The helpline provided during the session was 09126391978.

On police-media relations, Afolabi observed that both institutions had complementary responsibilities in society, explaining that while the police maintain law and order, prevent crime and protect lives and property, the media inform the public and promote accountability.

He called for mutual respect, constructive engagement and sustained cooperation between security agencies and journalists in the interest of public safety.

Earlier, the Chairperson of NAWOJ, Abia State Chapter, Norah Okafor, welcomed participants and stressed the importance of creating platforms where issues affecting journalists, particularly their safety and professional wellbeing, could be discussed.

She noted that regular engagement between journalists and security agencies would help strengthen understanding and cooperation in the discharge of their respective duties.

In her remarks, a former official of NAWOJ, Nwaka Amauwa, emphasised the importance of clear communication, proper orientation and structured training in helping individuals understand their responsibilities and perform their assignments effectively.

She expressed confidence that participants, with appropriate guidance and support, would be better equipped to carry out their duties without intimidation.

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The session ended with calls for media organisations to invest in the regular training of journalists and provide adequate guidance and support, particularly for those assigned to cover high-risk events.

From Onyebuchi Juliet Nwabu .
Federal Information Centre .
Umuahia.
12th October 2026.

The Federal Government has reaffirmed its determined commitment to national unity, inclusion and equitable development, declaring that the South-East remains a critical partner in President Bola Ahmed Tinubu’s vision of building a peaceful, prosperous and united Nigeria under the Renewed Hope Agenda.

The Honourable Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, FNIPR, gave the assurance while addressing journalists at a press briefing in Umuahia, Abia State, following the South-East Regional Security Summit held.

The Minister said the Tinubu administration is deliberately strengthening engagement with the South-East through sustained dialogue, strategic investments and inclusive governance aimed at fostering national cohesion and ensuring that every Nigerian enjoys equal opportunities regardless of region.

According to him, the South-East Regional Security Summit, organised by the Office of the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Community Engagement (South-East) in collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Defence and hosted by the Abia State Government, brought together government officials, security agencies, traditional rulers, community leaders, professionals, youth groups and political stakeholders to fashion lasting solutions to the region’s security challenges.
He described the summit as a demonstration of the Federal Government’s readiness to listen to citizens, engage communities and develop solutions that reflect local realities.
“The message from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu is clear. Every Nigerian, irrespective of location, has the right to live, work and pursue prosperity in a safe and secure environment,” the Minister stated.
Mohammed Idris stressed that security remains central to the Renewed Hope Agenda but noted that sustainable peace goes beyond military action. He explained that the administration is combining improved security operations with economic empowerment, infrastructure renewal, human capital development and social inclusion to guarantee lasting stability.

He disclosed that President Tinubu has continued to strengthen Nigeria’s security architecture through enhanced support for security agencies, improved operational capacity, intelligence coordination and stronger collaboration among federal, state and community stakeholders.
Responding to questions on allegations of marginalisation of the South-East, the Minister dismissed the perception, insisting that the President has demonstrated an inclusive approach through strategic appointments, infrastructure development and targeted investments across the region.
He cited the appointment of Senator Dave Umahi as Minister of Works, the execution of massive federal road projects linking states and cities, the establishment of one of Nigeria’s three world-class Cancer Centres in Enugu and the inclusion of the South-East in the Federal Government’s rollout of 1,000 Primary Healthcare Centres nationwide as clear evidence of the administration’s commitment to the region.
“The stability of the South-East is critical to Nigeria’s overall progress. The perception of exclusion is not the reality. President Tinubu is committed to ensuring that every region benefits from the dividends of democracy,” he said.

The Minister maintained that no resources due to states are being withheld by the Federal Government, advising state governments to undertake proper needs assessments and prioritise projects that directly improve the welfare of their people, while assuring that the Federal Government remains ready to support developmental initiatives across the federation.

He further disclosed that the Federal Government would continue its engagement with South-East stakeholders, noting that the administration is not shying away from addressing genuine concerns and agitations through constructive dialogue.
On concerns over the nation’s borrowing profile, Mohammed Idris defended the administration’s economic reforms, stating that the impact is evident in ongoing infrastructure projects, increased allocations to states and programmes designed to stimulate economic growth, support small businesses, provide student financing, expand consumer credit and strengthen social protection.
The Minister also highlighted the role of the Bank Verification Number (BVN) and National Identification Number (NIN) in promoting financial transparency, combating criminal financial transactions and expanding social inclusion.
He added that the Federal Government has intensified the fight against banditry, terrorism and other forms of criminality through the deployment of sophisticated technology and intelligence-driven operations, while emphasising that feedback obtained from citizens continues to shape government policies and interventions.
Mohammed Idris reaffirmed that President Tinubu’s administration remains committed to building a Nigeria where every region can realise its full potential, saying that peace in the South-East would attract greater investment, create jobs, strengthen businesses and further advance the nation’s collective aspiration for unity, security and sustainable development.

Governor Alex Otti has attributed Abia State’s emergence as Nigeria’s third most improved state in the 2026 Phillips Consulting State Performance Index to his administration’s strategic investments in healthcare, education, infrastructure.
Also his governance and the growing collaboration with the Federal Government, including the recent visit of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu.

Speaking during the July edition of his monthly media chat at the Government House, Umuahia, Governor Otti described the latest ranking as a clear validation of his administration’s reforms.

The Governor said the progress reflects the positive impact of government policies on the lives of Abians.
The first Abia citizen noted that Abia has made one of the most remarkable improvements in the country’s performance ranking, rising from 36th position in 2024 to 10th in 2025, and now 3rd in the 2026 Phillips Consulting State Performance Index, behind only Enugu and Jigawa States.

Governor Otti said the state’s transformation has been driven by sustained investments in critical sectors, particularly healthcare, education, infrastructure, land administration and economic development.

Highlighting achievements in the health sector, he disclosed that Abia recorded one of Nigeria’s best performances in reducing maternal and infant mortality in the first quarter of 2026, while enrolment into the Abia State Health Insurance Scheme continues to increase.

According to him, 144 of the state’s 200 Primary Healthcare Centres have been fully functionalised, while 77 additional health facilities renovated through the World Bank intervention have also been completed, with about 30 more centres expected to become operational soon.

On transportation and infrastructure, Governor Otti announced that the state has received 20 additional electric buses, which would operate on routes including Umuahia–Bende–Arochukwu, Umuahia–Uturu (ABSU), Umuahia–Umudike–Ikwuano, Aba–Owerri and Aba–Ukwa. He added that surveillance systems have been installed in the buses to ensure accountability and improve service delivery.

The Governor further disclosed that work is progressing steadily on the Aba Bus Terminal, while the first phase of the Ekeoma Market remodelling has been completed and would soon be commissioned.
In the area of land administration, Governor Otti said the government has issued 4,923 Certificates of Occupancy within three years, with nearly 1,000 processed this year alone, adding that the completion of the state’s digital mapping project in partnership with UN-Habitat would usher in a fully digitised land administration system that would eliminate fraudulent land transactions and speed up property documentation.

On education, he said the administration’s Smart School initiative is gathering momentum with two Smart Schools already commissioned out of the planned twenty, assuring that the remaining eighteen schools would be completed soon.
“The idea is to expose our children to modern technology from an early stage,” the Governor stated.
Addressing ongoing infrastructure projects, Governor Otti acknowledged that the rainy season has slowed the pace of road construction but assured residents that work continues across major project sites. He also reaffirmed the government’s commitment to ending flooding through the construction of durable drainage infrastructure.

Responding to concerns over rising rents in Umuahia and Aba, the Governor attributed the increase to growing demand for accommodation and announced that the government would soon commence the Pocket Layout Housing Project in Umuahia to bridge the housing deficit.
Governor Otti described the recent visit of the First Lady of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, Senator Oluremi Tinubu, as a major boost to Abia’s creative economy. He revealed that a dedicated bank account has been opened for the Akwete Cloth Production Hub, while the First Lady has authorised the release of the funds she pledged to support the Akwete women’s weaving initiative.
He urged residents to promote indigenous industries by patronising and wearing the locally woven Akwete fabric.

The Governor also commended residents for embracing environmental sanitation, urged them to sustain the culture of cleanliness, praised security agencies for maintaining peace across the state and congratulated the Commissioner of Police on his promotion to the rank of Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG).