PUNCH Media Foundation has concluded a transformative two-day capacity-building programme titled Enhancing Police–Community Relations Through Effective Communication, held from 2 to 3 December 2025 at the PUNCH Headquarters, Ogun State. The initiative convened 24 officers of the Nigeria Police Force, from the Lagos and Ogun states Police Command, to strengthen their communication, crisis-response and conflict-management competencies, directly addressing the widening trust deficit between citizens and the police, and the urgent need for a more transparent, human-centred policing culture in Nigeria.
For years, poor communication practices, weak police-community relations have fuelled public mistrust in the Nigeria Police Force. Delayed statements during emergencies, ineffective public engagement and inadequate crisis coordination have eroded institutional credibility. This training was designed to tackle these challenges head-on by equipping officers with the skills to communicate clearly, act calmly under pressure and rebuild cooperation with the communities they serve.
In the course of two days, experienced and distinguished facilitators delivered dynamic, hands-on sessions covering a rich variety of topics. A senior veteran of the Nigeria Police Force, Chief Superintendent Samuel Olorunshogo Laraiyetan, (retd), opened with modules on professional policing, constitutional duties and human rights protection, reinforcing the officer’s role as a neutral umpire during crises. Mrs Oluwatoyin Oladele, Executive Director, Lifebearers, delivered a session on building bridges rather than barriers, highlighting how transparency, empathy and credibility strengthen community cooperation. Mr Siyanbola Adegoke, CEO, Dosa Dane Consult, facilitated negotiation and cooperative problem-solving exercises using scenario-based case studies to show how perspective, emotional intelligence and dialogue reduce conflict escalation.
Dr Ayokunle Fatokun, Lead Consultant, Russell & Barnes Associates, led crisis communication and feedback management sessions, emphasising the first-one-hour rule for official statements and the imperative to counter misinformation swiftly. Mrs Isabella Adediji, Founder and Managing Director, Yellow Tamarind Productions, trained officers on strategic public communication and media relations, focusing on clarity, audience segmentation, proactive updates and reputation protection during sensitive incidents. Officers also engaged in simulation exercises where they drafted holding statements, rumour-correction messages and social-media updates to reinforce practical learning.
Across the two days, participants explored actionable steps to strengthen public trust, including early communication during emergencies, transparent investigations, non-violent de-escalation techniques and culturally sensitive engagement. They also discussed systemic barriers ranging from manpower gaps to high-stress working conditions and longstanding community mistrust and examined how communication-led policing can help bridge institutional divides and reduce tension.
According to Mr Aina, Head of Training, PUNCH Media Foundation, the initiative marks the beginning of a long-term investment in public-service capacity development. He stated that the Enhancing Police–Community Relations Through Effective Communication programme will continue as a signature professional-development series, setting a new benchmark for strengthening Nigeria’s public institutions through knowledge, people-centred communication and accountability-driven leadership. The initiative reinforces PUNCH Media Foundation’s enduring contribution to national development through social impact, institutional strengthening and responsible public engagement.
PUNCH Media Foundation (PMF) is a non-profit organisation established in 2019 to promote a just, inclusive and thriving civic space through investigative journalism, digital innovation, policy advocacy and media development. PMF remains a critical force in shaping accountability journalism, with programmes like Enhancing Police–Community Relations Through Effective Communication reflecting its deep investment in strengthening public institutions, rebuilding citizen-state trust and promoting transparent, human-centred governance.
