LAGOS JUNE 9TH (URHOBOTODAY)-Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Mr Umar Manko and Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Area “E’’ command, Festac Town, Lagos, Mr Dan Okoro have emerged patrons of Crime Reoporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN).
CRAN investiture of Manko as Chief Patron and Okoro as a Patron of the association according to CRAN President Mr Christopher Oji was as a result of evidence of both officers good working relationship between the police and the press.The Association hailed Manko for fighting crime to stand still in Lagos, while they commended Okoro for bring sanity to FESTAC and its environs.
Addressing newsmen immediately after the investiture ceremony, Manko, represented by Deputy Commissioner of police, State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID), Mr. Damilola Adegbuyi urged Nigerian media to be cautious of their write up on national security to avoid more crisis, noting that the media has the capacity and responsibility to make the country peaceful.
He advised that the media should always portray the nation in good light..
He said t without the media, criminal justice would not be complete, stressing that the police and the press always face similar risk in the course of their duties.
“The role play by the media in national development cannot be over emphasized. Let us maintain synergy in fighting crime and criminality.
Where there is area of conflict, let us talk it over, When it is of national security, let us be conscious of our responsibilities to the nation. The press should write for the peace of the nation,’’ Manko advised.
The Chairman of CRAN, Mr Christopher Oji said that the association’s investiture on Manko as chief patron was an evidence of good working relationship between the police and the press.
Oji said members of the Force had always put their lives on the line for the safety of others, calling on the government to take adequate care of the police with a view to get the best from them.
He paid tribute to officers and men of the Lagos State police command, particularly men from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) who lost their lives while on duty.
The Chairman of the occasion, a security expert, Mr Patrick Agbambu commended CRAN for exposing criminals in the society, stressing that the membership of the association should spread across