By
Gloria Josiah
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has called on Nigerian youths to stay away from political violence, online thuggery, and misinformation, warning that such acts could ruin their future.
Disu made the appeal at the National Youth Leadership and Security Dialogue held by the Nigeria Police Force to mark International Youth Day 2026. The event held under the theme “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations” and the campaign “My Future Is Greater Than Political and Digital Thuggery.”
The IGP said the dialogue came at a crucial time with the 2027 elections approaching. He noted that while politicians often settle their differences after elections, young people used for violence are the ones who suffer long-term consequences.
According to him, despite differences in ethnicity, religion, region, and political views, Nigerian youths share the same goals: security, quality education, jobs, decent living, justice, and the freedom to pursue their dreams.
He cautioned young people against being used by politicians to cause trouble, stressing that they would be the ones to face the aftermath.
“Politicians contest elections, but you live with the consequences of those elections,” Disu said. “Don’t fight wars that will destroy your own future.”
The IGP reaffirmed that the Nigeria Police Force will protect citizens’ right to peaceful political participation, including supporting parties and campaigning. However, he warned that the police will not tolerate violence, recruitment of youths for thuggery, possession of weapons for elections, attacks on opponents, voter intimidation, or destruction of property.
“We will protect citizens. We will facilitate peaceful campaigns. We will secure candidates, campaign venues and public spaces within the law. But let me be equally clear: we will not protect violence,” he stated.
Disu also flagged digital thuggery as a growing threat. He said political violence now starts on phones through fake news, disinformation, hate speech, cyberbullying, impersonation, deepfakes, and coordinated online attacks. These, he said, can ruin reputations, spark real-world violence, and weaken trust in democracy.
He urged youths to be responsible online: “Think before you click. Verify before you share. Pause before you post.”
‘Your Voice Matters’
The IGP told young Nigerians that their voices can shape communities, policy, technology, businesses, and democracy, but that influence must come with responsibility.
He encouraged them to choose leadership over manipulation, peace over violence, and innovation over destruction. He also urged them to embrace education, entrepreneurship, tech, creativity, and public service.
Disu said the Police want youths as partners in preventing violence, fighting cybercrime, promoting responsible online behavior, protecting vulnerable people, and strengthening peaceful democratic engagement.
‘Protect Your Future’
The Police chief charged youths to reject recruitment for political violence, refuse to carry weapons for politicians, stop spreading hate and false information, and take part in democracy peacefully.
“A Nigeria with educated, skilled, innovative and productive young people is a stronger Nigeria. A Nigeria whose young people are manipulated into violence, criminality and hatred is a Nigeria that loses,” he said.
Disu urged the current generation to build a legacy of peace and responsible citizenship.
“I want history to remember this generation as the generation that refused to be used; the generation that chose peace over violence, innovation over destruction and responsible citizenship over criminality,” he added.
He then declared the National Youth Leadership and Security Dialogue open, calling on Nigerian youths to take ownership of their future and help build a safer and more prosperous country.
