Journalist unveils book on security

Oshanugor’s credentials run deep. A pioneer staff of the defunct Post Express Newspaper, he cut his teeth as a crime reporter during the darkest days of the Abacha military junta – an era of state-linked bombings following the annulled June 12, 1993, presidential election. Today, Oshanugor, who holds an MSc in Political Science from the University of Lagos, is Editor-in-Chief of Atlanticnewsonline. He also holds a bachelor’s degree from the University of Port Harcourt and a diploma in Mass Communication from Auchi Polytechnic.

Further underlining the event’s significance, Nigeria’s Inspector General of Police, Olatunji Disu, was represented by DCP Adeshina Lawal of the Lagos State Police Command. “When it comes to security matters, crime reporters are held in high esteem,” the IGP’s office noted. “They have helped us create awareness and showcase what we do to protect lives and property.”

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Adding his perspective, Dr Davidson Akhimien, chairman of the occasion and retired military intelligence officer, called the book “a very worthy tool in the non-kinetic fight against crime and criminality in Nigeria.”

Continuing the tributes, Professor Chijioke Uwasomba, a reviewer from Obafemi Awolowo University, praised Oshanugor for creating a high-quality resource for mass communication students. He noted that “the advent of internet technology has ironically created laziness in the book-reading culture.”

He further hailed journalism as “central to human rights, democracy, and societal development. Without journalism, society would be disconnected.”

Reflecting on his motivation, Oshanugor himself explained: “I wrote the book not as a classroom teacher but as a field reporter with over 30 years’ experience” – a resource for students and lecturers alike.

Supporting this sentiment, Olori Janet Mba Afolabi, CNN African Journalist Award winner and Mother of the Day, recalled her own crime-beat days at Newswatch magazine, commending Oshanugor for bringing the beat into the limelight.

Similarly, veteran journalist and publisher of Political Economist Magazine, Mr Kenneth Ugbechie, praised Oshanugor. He said, “I am very proud of Frank. This book shows the level he has attained in journalism. He was my deputy when I was the Group News Editor at Post Express Newspaper years ago. I am really happy for him.”

Other stakeholders agreed: Crime Beat Reporting in Nigeria is more than a book. It is a historical document and a guide for future journalists. Its arrival coincides with debates over state police and security reforms, which are at the forefront of national discourse.

Among other attendees were former sports director Dr Patrick Uwagbale, and former Crime Reporters Association presidents Dr Biyi Adegoroye, Chris Oji, and Dipo Kehinde, highlighting the event’s appeal within the crime reporting beat.