The Department of State Services (DSS) in Oyo State and the Nigeria Union of Journalists (NUJ), Oyo State Council, have reaffirmed their commitment to joint action aimed at tackling misinformation, fake news and emerging security threats in the state.
The pledge was made when the executives of the NUJ, led by their Chairman, Mr. Akeem Abas, paid a courtesy visit to the Oyo State headquarters of the DSS in Ibadan.
Speaking during the visit, the State Director of the DSS, Mr. Rasheed Adelakun, warned that the spread of misinformation and unverified reports could be exploited by fifth columnists to undermine public confidence and weaken social cohesion. He stressed that such developments pose serious security concerns and require close collaboration between security agencies and the media.
Adelakun reiterated the DSS’s readiness to work closely with the NUJ to address security challenges across the state and urged journalists to uphold professionalism and adhere strictly to ethical standards in the discharge of their duties, describing responsible journalism as critical to national development.
In his response, the Oyo NUJ Chairman, Mr. Akeem Abas, assured the DSS of the union’s willingness to sustain collaboration with security agencies in promoting peace, security and unity in Oyo State and across the country.
Abas added that the NUJ would continue to sensitise its members on the importance of responsible journalism, fact-checking and adherence to professional ethics, noting that accurate and timely information remains a vital tool in supporting security agencies and strengthening national cohesion.
