Posted by Chinenye on Thu 05th Nov, 2026 - tori.ng
Abia state police Commissioner has advised journalists to be careful while covering the 2027 elections.
(AIG Wilfred Afolabi. Photo by Punch News)
The Abia State Police Commissioner, AIG Wilfred Afolabi, has shared safety measure for journalists covering the 2027 general elections in the state.
He spoke on Thursday in Umuahia at the 2026 Media Retreat and Press Week of the Correspondents Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists, NUJ, Abia State Council.
The theme was The Future of Journalism in an Era of Disinformation.
The rules cover getting security updates before publishing, staying safe on the job, protecting sensitive police information, avoiding false reports and incitement, and keeping in touch with the police.
Journalists should be careful at rallies, protests and tense situations.
They should avoid fights, respect security concerns and always know how to get out safely.
Reporters must not publish sensitive security movements, police deployment plans or live operational details that could put lives at risk.
Afolabi also warned against sharing unverified reports, angry statements or anything that could spark violence or community tension.
Journalists should check security stories with credible and official sources before publishing, especially reports of attacks or emergencies.
He said reporters must protect their digital security too.
They should watch out for suspicious links, fake online accounts, hacking attempts and unauthorised access to their phones, computers and social media accounts.
He added that the command has a trained unit that deals with cybercrime.
He urged journalists to stay neutral when covering politics and to report in a way that promotes peace, accountability and democratic participation.
Afolabi said the police command will keep protecting life and property and provide a safe space for journalists to do their work.
He called for teamwork, trust and responsible reporting, especially in the run-up to the election.
On his own officers, he said police must stay neutral during the 2027 elections.
He said officers do not belong to any political party and should keep any political views to themselves.
He warned that any officer who commits an electoral offence will be held to account, and that officers involved in other crimes will face action, including dismissal.
He said he would not change a thing about what he did.