The Rule of Law and Empowerment Initiative, also known as Partners West Africa Nigeria (PWAN), has intensified efforts to strengthen police accountability and public trust in Nigeria with a one day capacity building workshop for media practitioners in Enugu State.
The workshop, themed “Enhancing Public Trust and Gender Responsive Policing in Nigeria Through Effective Implementation of the Police Act,” was held on Saturday, January 31, 2026, at Bon Platinum Hotel, Enugu, and brought together journalists from print, broadcast, and online media platforms.
The training focused on equipping media actors with the knowledge and tools required to report police reform, accountability, and gender responsive policing in a professional, ethical, and solutions driven manner.
In his keynote presentation, a passionate advocate for liberty, freedom and justice, Mr. Okechukwu Nwanguma, provided a detailed overview of the ongoing police reform process in Nigeria, with particular emphasis on the Nigeria Police Act, 2020, and its accompanying Regulations. He explained that the Act represents a major shift toward democratic policing, accountability, and respect for human rights.
Mr. Nwanguma highlighted key provisions of the Police Act relating to arrest procedures, use of force, detention, stop and search operations, and citizens rights, stressing that effective implementation remains critical to rebuilding public confidence in the Nigeria Police Force. He underscored the strategic role of the media and citizens in ensuring that the reforms do not remain on paper but are actively enforced.
According to him, consistent and informed media reporting is essential to exposing violations, promoting compliance with the law, and encouraging institutional reform within the police system. He urged journalists to familiarize themselves with the Act and apply its provisions when reporting incidents involving law enforcement officers.
Also speaking at the workshop, a Public Affairs Analyst and Chairman Guild of Public Affairs Analyst of Nigeria, Enugu State chapter, Dr. Ambrose Igboke delivered a session on developmental reporting and solutions journalism, urging journalists to rethink how policing and security issues are covered. He challenged media practitioners to move beyond crisis-driven reporting and adopt approaches that explain problems, highlight reforms, and promote constructive public dialogue.
Dr. Igboke emphasized the need for journalists to evolve from being mere witnesses to becoming local explainers who help the public understand policing processes and reforms. He spoke extensively on humanising the police and policing, the ethics of reporting security issues, and the importance of using language that supports reform rather than inflames public anger.
He further stressed the importance of mainstreaming the Police Act and its Regulations in media coverage, particularly in reports on police conduct, arrest procedures, profiling, stop-and-search operations, and other accountability-related issues. According to him, sustained, factual, and rights-based reporting can help build local accountability pressure and drive positive change within the policing system.
In another presentation, Mr. Jackson Odeh addressed participants on the growing influence of Artificial Intelligence (AI) in media practice. He outlined the benefits of AI in news gathering, verification, and content production, while cautioning against unethical or uncritical use of AI tools. He advised journalists to adopt responsible AI practices that uphold accuracy, transparency, and professional standards.
Participants at the workshop engaged in interactive discussions, case studies, and practical sessions aimed at strengthening their capacity to report police reform and accountability issues more effectively.
The workshop forms part of PWAN’s broader commitment to promoting rule of law, democratic governance, and human rights through strategic engagement with key stakeholders, including the media.
The event was covered by Freedom Square TV, further amplifying discussions on police reform, accountability, and the critical role of the media in shaping public trust and democratic policing in Nigeria.