Reject thuggery, IGP Disu tasks Nigerian youths

Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has called on Nigerian youths to reject political and digital thuggery. He urged them to channel their energy, talents, and influence toward promoting peace, responsible citizenship, and national development. Disu made this charge during the closing ceremony of the Nigeria Police Force's International Youth Day 2026 National Youth Leadership and Security Initiative, themed “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations” with the slogan “My Future Is Greater Than Political and Digital Thuggery.”

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My Future Is Greater Than Political and Digital Thuggery.

The three-day initiative provided a platform to engage young Nigerians, analyze the country's security landscape, and reinforce the youth's role in fostering a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria. The IGP noted that activities like panel discussions, a walkathon, and tree-planting demonstrated the need for youth engagement to extend beyond mere speeches, fostering understanding, responsibility, and concrete action. He highlighted that despite diverse backgrounds, languages, and opinions, Nigerian youths share common aspirations for peace, security, opportunity, and dignity.

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This initiative must not end when the chairs are cleared.

Disu cautioned youths against being manipulated into instruments of political violence, particularly with the 2027 general elections approaching. He stressed that the campaign slogan, “My Future Is Greater Than Political and Digital Thuggery,” aims to protect young Nigerians' futures from manipulation. The IGP also recognized the significance of positive youth leadership, introducing the Youth Honours and Awards to celebrate young Nigerians contributing meaningfully to society. He announced the formal recognition of Youth Ambassadors Ann Nwawhodoh and Olugbenga “GB” Agboola, who will act as liaisons between the Police Force and Nigerian youths, tasked with listening to and understanding their realities to build a stronger relationship.

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although Nigerian youths may come from different backgrounds, speak different languages and hold divergent opinions, they share common aspirations for peace, security, opportunity and dignity.

The IGP emphasized that effective security is a shared responsibility requiring collaboration between law enforcement and citizens. He identified the Abuja Youth Declaration on Peace, Responsible Citizenship and Democratic Participation as a key outcome of the initiative, urging participants to translate the declaration into tangible actions.

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effective security cannot be achieved by the Police alone, stressing that security is a shared responsibility requiring collaboration between law enforcement agencies and citizens.