RULAAC urges police-media collaboration to restore public trust, enhance accountability, and improve policing outcomes across Nigeria

The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has called for strengthened collaboration between the Nigeria Police and the media to restore public confidence and improve policing outcomes nationwide.

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RULAAC Executive Director, Mr. Okechukwu Nwanguma, made the remarks during a One-Day Police and Media Dialogue Session in Enugu, emphasising that effective policing in a democracy cannot thrive without public trust.

“Most citizens form their perception of the police through personal encounters and media reports, making the media a key partner in policing reforms,” Nwanguma said, noting that youths, women, and other vulnerable groups often view law enforcement as agents of fear rather than protection.

He further highlighted that survivors of sexual and gender-based violence frequently face secondary victimisation at police stations, including disbelief, stigma, extortion, and ridicule, which discourages them from seeking justice.

Nwanguma described the Nigeria Police Act 2020 as a landmark reform designed to promote professionalism, accountability, human rights protection, community policing, and gender-sensitive law enforcement.

However, he lamented that implementation remains weak nearly six years after enactment, citing persistent cases of monetised bail, illegal detention, torture, abuse of power, and ineffective oversight.

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“The objectives of the law are being undermined by entrenched impunity, corruption, and lack of political will,” he added, stressing that urgent reforms and engagement with the media are essential to rebuild public trust and strengthen policing outcomes in Nigeria.