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 Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), Abia State Command, has pledged to collaborate with the Licensed Electrical Contractors Association of Nigeria (LECAN) to curb substandard electrical installations and tackle unlicensed practitioners in the state.

The State Commandant, CC Chukwuemeka N. Odimba, FCIA, KSM, JP, gave the assurance when he received the LECAN delegation, led by its South-East Zonal National Coordinator, Engr. Nwachukwu Anozie Charles, at the command headquarters in Umuahia.

He expressed concern over fire outbreaks, electrocution and other disasters associated with faulty electrical installations, urging contractors to comply with established regulatory standards.

The LECAN delegation called for NSCDC’s support in enforcing the provisions of the Nigeria Electricity Management Services Agency (NEMSA) Act, 2015, particularly against dealers of substandard electrical materials and unlicensed contractors.

The association’s Abia State Chairman, Mr. Uche Edward Chinwendu, lamented the losses suffered by individuals and communities due to the use of inferior electrical materials and unprofessional installations.

Commandant Odimba described power infrastructure as a critical national asset and reaffirmed the corps’ commitment to protecting lives and infrastructure through collaboration with relevant stakeholders.

He urged LECAN to provide actionable information on individuals involved in the sale of substandard electrical materials and the activities of unlicensed contractors, while intensifying public enlightenment on electrical safety and approved installation standards.

From: Onyebuchi Juliet Nwabu.
FIC Correspondent: Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps.
9th October 2026.

The Nigerian Postal Service (NIPOST) has reaffirmed the importance of digital innovation, financial inclusion and efficient service delivery in strengthening national connectivity and expanding economic opportunities as it marked the 2026 World Post Day in Abia State.

World Post Day commemorates the establishment of the Universal Postal Union in 1874 and highlights the role of international postal cooperation in connecting people and facilitating the movement of mail and goods across borders.

The State Postal Manager, Mrs. Winifred N. Amadi, stated this during the 152nd celebration of World Post Day held at the NIPOST State Headquarters on October 9, 2026, under the theme, “One Postal Network, Infinite Possibilities.”

Amadi highlighted initiatives under the leadership of the Postmaster General and Chief Executive Officer, Ms. Tola Odeyemi, including digital postcodes, financial services, postal digitalisation and approved e-government services designed to improve postal operations nationwide.

She described World Post Day as an opportunity to recognise the enduring role of postal services in connecting people, businesses and nations, recalling the establishment of the Universal Postal Union in 1874 to strengthen international postal cooperation.

She also disclosed that NIPOST offers 21 products to customers, insisting that the service remained operational and effective despite perceptions that it had lost relevance in the digital age.

The SPM,however, commended the Abia State Governor Alex Otti’s led administration, through the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development under Sir Nwaobilor Ananaba, for providing free coaster buses to support the state contingent at the recently concluded NIPOST Sports Festival in Benin City, Edo State where they came back with a trophy.

She urged NIPOST to look beyond traditional mail delivery by embracing technology, improving customer experience and ensuring accessible, reliable and responsive services across communities. She also commended the commitment, sacrifice and resilience of staff in Abia State.

In a goodwill message, the Head of Centre, Federal Information Centre, Abia State, and Chairman of the Association of Heads of Federal Establishments (AHFE), Abia State, Lady Gloria Ify Abiakam, congratulated NIPOST management and staff, describing the theme as a reflection of the opportunities an integrated and modern postal network offers for national development.

Lady Abiakam noted that NIPOST could contribute more significantly to Nigeria’s digital economy by supporting small and medium-scale enterprises, facilitating e-commerce, strengthening logistics and extending financial and other essential services to underserved communities.

She called for sustained professionalism, accountability, strategic partnerships and technology-driven service delivery, stressing that an efficient postal network could promote economic growth, social inclusion and stronger connections among communities and institutions.

The messages underscored the need for digital transformation, accessible customer-focused services, staff commitment and stronger support for businesses as priorities for the future of postal services.
The celebration also reaffirmed the relevance of NIPOST in a changing economy and the need to maximise the possibilities offered by an interconnected postal network.

The 2026 World Post Day theme, “One Postal Network, Infinite Possibilities,” highlights the potential of postal services to connect communities, empower businesses and advance inclusive development.