The Osun State Police Command has urged Nigerian youths to reject political and digital thuggery, stressing that their future is more valuable than violence, manipulation and exploitation.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, made the call on Saturday at a stakeholders’ summit organised to mark International Youth Day 2026.

Gotan, who was represented by the Osogbo Area Commander, ACP Temitope Adewumi, said the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, had approved the nationwide commemoration of Nigeria Police International Youth Day 2026 under the National Youth Leadership and Security Initiative.

The initiative is aligned with the United Nations theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.”

He said the Nigeria Police Force had also launched a national campaign tagged, “My Future is Greater Than Political and Digital Thuggery,” to discourage political violence, electoral thuggery, digital manipulation and the exploitation of young people.

According to him, the campaign is built around five key pillars: leadership, security, innovation and enterprise, responsible citizenship and digital responsibility.

Gotan urged youths not to trade their future for temporary financial rewards from political violence or use social media to spread false information, attack others or destroy reputations.

“The Nigeria Police Force is committed to standing with you, protecting you, and partnering with you,” he said, adding that the police had a role not only in enforcing the law but also in supporting the development of responsible young leaders.

Speaking at the event, Chairman of the Osun Civil Societies Coalition, Waheed Lawal, alleged that some challenges confronting Nigeria had been created by the political elite to make youths vulnerable to manipulation.

He urged young Nigerians to prioritise their future and resist attempts by politicians to divide or exploit them.

The Osogbo Area Commander, ACP Temitope Adewumi, identified education as a major tool for youth development and encouraged young people to pursue both formal and informal education.

Representing the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), Rev. Bajulaye Victor said the programme provided youths with an opportunity to pursue their dreams, while warning that political thuggery could destroy lives and digital thuggery could damage reputations.

He urged youths to reject attempts to compromise their future for money or political interests, saying, “Your future is bigger than ballots and destiny greater than data.”

The Osun State Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Olakolupo Segun, commended the police for organising the programme and called for continued police neutrality to build greater confidence among youths.

He also urged the police to engage and rehabilitate unorganised youths through dialogue.

The Salu of Edunabon, Oba Adesoji Oladapo, praised Osun youths for their conduct during the August 15 governorship election and urged them to resist being used as political thugs, encouraging them instead to focus on becoming productive members of society.

Osun Police Urge Youths to Reject Political, Digital Thuggery

Comments (0)