By Kingsley Omonobi

The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has challenged Nigerian youths to reject political and digital thuggery and use their energy, talents and influence to promote peace, responsible citizenship and national development.

Disu gave the charge at the closing ceremony of the International Youth Day 2026 National Youth Leadership and Security Initiative of the Nigeria Police Force, held under the theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” with the campaign slogan, “My Future Is Greater Than Political and Digital Thuggery.”

The IGP said the three-day initiative provided an opportunity to engage young Nigerians, examine the country’s security realities and strengthen the role of youths in building a peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.

He said activities including panel discussions, a walkathon and tree-planting exercise demonstrated that youth engagement must go beyond speeches to create understanding, responsibility and concrete action.

According to him, 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.

Disu warned youths against allowing themselves to be used as instruments of political violence, particularly ahead of the 2027 general elections.

“This initiative must not end when the chairs are cleared,” the IGP said, stressing that the Police campaign, “My Future Is Greater Than Political and Digital Thuggery,” was designed to encourage young Nigerians to protect their future from manipulation.

He urged youths not to allow anyone to use their present circumstances to destroy their future, saying they have a critical role to play in ensuring peaceful democratic participation.

The IGP also highlighted the importance of recognising positive youth leadership, noting that the Youth Honours and Awards introduced during the initiative were intended to celebrate young Nigerians making meaningful contributions to society.

He charged the award recipients to see the recognition as a responsibility to continue leading, innovating and serving their communities while creating opportunities for others.

Disu further announced the formal recognition of Youth Ambassadors Ann Nwawhodoh and Olugbenga “GB” Agboola, who will serve as a bridge between the Nigeria Police Force and Nigerian youths.

He urged the ambassadors to listen to young people, understand their realities and help build a stronger relationship between the Police and the youth population.

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

The IGP described the Abuja Youth Declaration on Peace, Responsible Citizenship and Democratic Participation as one of the most significant outcomes of the three-day initiative.

He urged participants to transform the declaration from a document into a living commitment by choosing peace over violence, dialogue over conflict, truth over misinformation and nation-building over destruction.

“Own this Declaration. Take it to your schools, your communities, your organisations and your digital spaces. And live by it,” Disu told the youths.

He challenged young Nigerians to recognise themselves as part of the solution to the country’s challenges, warning that their generation could either be manipulated into destroying communities or become the generation that builds them.

The choice is yours. And history will judge your generation not by what you inherited, but by what you did with it,” he said.

The IGP commended development and international partners, civil society organisations, government institutions, private-sector sponsors, facilitators, speakers, volunteers and the organising committee for their contributions to the initiative.

He also praised officers and personnel of the Nigeria Police Force who worked to make the programme successful, while appreciating the young participants for their openness and enthusiasm.

Disu assured that the Police would take the initiative beyond Abuja to schools, tertiary institutions, NYS formations and youth organisations across the country.

He said the Force would continue to promote preventive policing, responsible digital citizenship, peaceful democratic participation and stronger Police-youth partnerships.

The IGP urged Nigerian youths to carry the message of the initiative into their communities, schools, homes and digital spaces, reminding them that every great change begins with an individual choice.

“My future is greater than political and digital thuggery. Let us choose peace, responsibility and Nigeria,” he declared.

Disu thereafter formally declared the International Youth Day 2026 National Youth Leadership and Security Initiative of the Nigeria Police Force closed, with a call for Nigerian youths to become active partners in building a safer and more prosperous country.