The Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity to President Muhammadu Buhari, Garba Shehu, has urged the leadership of the Nigerian police to avoid broadcasting fake news, which he said has become a big challenge in the country and globally.

Shehu said the police should be prepared for the challenge ahead.

The President’s spokesman gave the advice in Abuja on Wednesday at the commissioning of Nigeria Police Radio 99.1 FM.

He assured that the police have the capacity and professionalism to give its best in broadcasting.

His words: “the radio is coming at a time when fake news is a big issue in this country. And it’s also a big problem globally. So if the police have a medium, see it that you have a station that you can listen to, for only that which is right, correct and true. It cannot be said that the police radio is broadcasting fake news. It will not happen and this is a big challenge that will face the operators.

“When people listen to other radio stations, they will tune to the police radio in order to confirm what they have listened to elsewhere.

“There will be no defamation, libel or fake news. I believe that the capability and capacity is there. The police cannot embark on something as big as this if they are not prepared for it”.

The Minister of Information and Culture, Lai Mohammed, said the radio station will further ensure peaceful and united Nigeria.

Mohammed, who was represented by the Director Public Communication and National Orientation, Federal Ministry of Information and Culture, Mrs. Chinenye Ihuoma said: “We are delighted to be associated with the Nigeria Police in this efforts to enlighten the citizen more on its operational productivity to work towards a peaceful and united Nigeria. I enjoined the broadcasters in police uniform to be as professional as possible and also to discharge their duties with a high sense of patriotism. This will surely promote the image of the police.”