Ebonyi CP urges journalists to perform their duties professionally.

The new Commissioner of Police in Ebonyi State, CP Hope Urunwa Okafor, has urged journalists in the state to conduct their work with integrity and professionalism.

She delivered the message during a courtesy visit by members of the Correspondents’ Chapel of the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ) in the state over the weekend.

Okafor described journalism as a noble profession and called the practitioners “watchdogs of society,” further urging them to maintain objectivity and accuracy in their reporting.

“Your job as journalists is very critical; it requires a sound mind and a good conscience,” she said. “You should discharge your duties professionally. You should be seen to have lived above board in your duties by society.”

She condemned the negative perception some members of the public hold of the police because of the misconduct of a few officers.

Okafor urged people not to judge the entire police force by the actions of a few, reminding them that many officers have sacrificed greatly to protect lives and property and continue to do so.

The Police Commissioner reaffirmed her commitment to safeguarding the lives and property of the state’s residents and advised the public to report any security concerns in their area for a prompt response.

She described Ebonyi State as one of the most peaceful states in the country but expressed concern over murder cases in certain communities.

Okafor called on journalists to help curb this troubling phenomenon, stating that her goal is to reduce such incidents before her tenure ends.

In his remarks, the Chairman of the Correspondents’ Chapel, NUJ in the state, Comrade Uchenna Inya, said the visit aimed to strengthen the partnership between police and journalists as allies in progress.

He praised the CP for her respect for human life and dignity and for her swift action against the dehumanisation of a child by a prophet in Izzi Local Government Area, which led to the arrest of the prophet and all other culprits involved.