Senior Special Assistant to President Muhammadu Buhari on Media, Garba Shehu, has challenged the police to use their community radio to change the narrative about the menace of “fake and false” news in the country.

Shehu spoke at the opening of Nigeria Police Radio 99.1 FM, yesterday, in Abuja.

“This radio is coming at a time when fake news is a big issue in the country, big problem globally. So if the police have a radio, it means that you have a station that you can tune to and listen to only that which is right, correct, and the truth.

“It cannot be said that the police radio is airing fake news, it will not happen and this is the big challenge that is facing them.

“When people listen to all the other radios, they will tune to the police radio to confirm what they have heard elsewhere. There will be no defamation, no libel, no fake news. So, it is a big challenge for the operators,” Shehu said.

According to him, the police have the capability to manage the outfit, they cannot embark on such a gigantic project without being prepared to go the hug.

“When the Inspector General of Police (IG), Mohammed Adamu, took up the mantle of leadership, some of us believed that he had the best credentials. He possessed the best preparation for the job, so we are not surprised with the opening of the radio.”

Adamu, in his address at the event, said when he assumed office, he introduced some strategies to combat crimes and stabilise security across the country.

“As part of the implementation processes, we appreciated the need to foster partnership and good working relationship between the police and the people in our various communities.

“One of these strategies is the setting up of this community-based radio station, the Nigeria Police 99.1FM Radio, which is targeted at bringing the police closer to the people. The radio is for smooth information flow towards strengthening the bond between citizens and the police.

“It will serve as a veritable avenue for the police to engage, enlighten and inform the public on policing activities and other security-related matters.

“It will also air phone-in programmes to involve 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.”