The Police in Kwara State on Friday met with members of the Association of Kwara Online Media Practitioners (ASKOMP) to seek a partnership arrangement on how to curb fake news and improve security in the state.
“I appreciate your cooperation with the Nigerian Police Force. We are partners in crime fighting in the state, and I hope we can have a more robust relationship,” the State Commissioner for Police, Kayode Egbetokun said during the meeting at the police headquarters in Ilorin, the state capital.
Egbetokun explained that the security body is soughting the cooperation of the media to fight the spread of fake news, which he noted could destroy the country if not curbed early.
“I urge you to always get the reaction of the police force before publishing your stories. I am always available, the PPRO is always available as well. We need to partner so as to curb fake news.”
Speaking on the excess of some police officers, he said, “I don’t cover erring officers. We dismissed six officers in June, and gave various punishment to others. Except I don’t get the report or enough evidences against such officers. I have spoken to them extensively. I discussed with DPOs about relationship with the public. Once they bring their reports and I investigate it to be true, we deal with them.”
For his part, the Chairman of the Body and Publisher of The Informant247, Salihu Shola Taofeek appreciated the police chief, adding that such partnership will help improve security in the state.
He added that the Association is taking drastic steps to curb the spread of fake news and ensure balanced and fair reportage.
Members of the ASKOMP that accompanied the Chairman included AbdulRasheed Akogun, Publisher of Freshinsight Newspaper; Nafiu Toyin, Director, InsiderNG; among others.
