The leadership of the Kaduna Council of the Nigeria Union of Journalists led by the Chairman, Abdulgafar Alabelewe and the new Army Spokesman, Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi
The Nigeria Union of Journalists, Kaduna State Council, and the Nigerian Army’s One Division have pledged stronger collaboration to tackle kidnapping and other security threats in Kaduna State and the North-West.
The pledge was made on Tuesday when the Deputy Director, Army Public Relations, One Division, Colonel Abubakar Abdullahi, paid a courtesy visit to the NUJ council in Kaduna, stressing the need for closer cooperation between the military and the media.
Abdullahi, who recently assumed duty in the division, described journalists as critical partners in promoting peace and security, urging them to support efforts to sustain the relative peace in the region.
He said his area of responsibility covered Kaduna, Katsina, Kano and Jigawa states, adding that building a cordial relationship with journalists in Kaduna was important.
“The importance of the media is very critical in both war and peacetime. Now that we are in a period of relative peace, the media is very important because it is the media that consolidates the gains achieved by other sectors,” he said.
The Army spokesman described security as a collective responsibility, noting that the military could not address the challenges alone without support from other stakeholders.
“Security is everybody’s business. The military, the police, the media and members of the public all have important roles to play in ensuring that our society remains peaceful,” Abdullahi said.
He expressed optimism that his experience working with journalists would strengthen communication between the Army and the public, particularly in disseminating information to promote peace and stability.
In his response, the NUJ Chairman in Kaduna State, Alhaji Abdulgafar Alabelewe, congratulated Abdullahi on his promotion to the rank of colonel and his posting to One Division.
Alabelewe said the visit would strengthen the longstanding relationship between the media and the military, adding that both institutions had complementary roles in addressing insecurity.
“The Nigerian Army is a critical security institution in Kaduna State and the entire North-West. We appreciate the efforts of the military and other security agencies in maintaining the relative peace we are experiencing,” he said.
The NUJ chairman, however, expressed concern over persistent security challenges in parts of Southern Kaduna and reported cases of kidnapping on the outskirts of Kaduna metropolis, particularly in Millennium City and areas around Yakowa Road.
He said closer cooperation between journalists and security agencies could help address the situation, noting that reporters often maintained direct contact with residents and grassroots communities.
According to him, some residents found it difficult to share security-related information directly with security agencies, making responsible engagement with journalists important.
Alabelewe assured the Army that the union would support efforts to improve security by passing credible information to the appropriate authorities.
“We want to assure you that whenever we go into the field and have information of security interest, we will always pass such information through you to the Division. We believe that, with this, we will be able to achieve the desired results,” he said.
He added that journalists would continue to support initiatives aimed at promoting peace and stability, stressing that a secure environment was necessary for effective journalism and societal development.
In a related development, Abdullahi also met with defence correspondents in Kaduna State, where he sought their support for improved relations between the military and the media.