Police in Nigeria have launched a radio station to foster better relations between the force and the public.
The station was unveiled on Wednesday evening by the Inspector General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, who noted that it would be used to engage, enlighten and inform the public on policing activities and other security-related matters.
He added that the radio station will air programs targeted at involving the citizens in the security of their localities especially on ways to spot and report crimes and other necessary steps to take in the event of a crime or security emergency.
The Nigeria Police Radio, which is one of the legacy projects of the Force within the past 2 years will help bring the police closer to the people and bolster partnership and good working relationship between the police and the people.
— Nigeria Police Force (@PoliceNG) March 31, 2021
The launch comes on the back of prolonged public protests against police brutality and extrajudicial killings. The country’s youth particularly took issue with a Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), a unit of the Nigerian Police accused of unlawful arrests, profiling, tortures and killings.
Even during the protests dubbed #EndSars, scores of people were killed.
President Muhammadu Buhari later disbanded the unit.
Various top officials attended the launch ceremony of the Nigeria Police Radio, including the Minister of Information Alhaji Lai Mohammed and the Senior Special Assistant to the President on Media and Publicity Mallam Garba Shehu.
