The Lagos state Commissioner of Police, CP Tijani Fatai, has warned Nigerian youths against allowing politicians to recruit them for political violence, digital attacks and other criminal activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Fatai gave the warning on Thursday at a Police-Youth Dialogue in Lagos, organised to commemorate International Youth Day 2026 and launch the National Campaign Against Political and Digital Thuggery.

The Commissioner cautioned that youths could be lured with money to spread false information, attack political opponents, vandalise property or disrupt public peace, only to be abandoned by their sponsors to face the consequences once their political interests had been served.

He particularly expressed concern over the growing use of social media for political intimidation, harassment, threats, impersonation, misinformation and incitement.

Fatai urged youths to verify information before sharing it, avoid provocative online exchanges and reject recruitment as political thugs, online attackers or agents of electoral violence.

According to him, young Nigerians have the constitutional right to support candidates and political parties of their choice, but must not carry weapons for politicians, snatch electoral materials, intimidate voters or attack opponents.

“Your future is too important to be sacrificed for somebody else’s political ambition. Do not allow anybody to convince you that your destiny is to fight. Your destiny is to build.”

The Commissioner also challenged the leadership of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and the Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) to ensure that their members are not recruited for political violence.

He urged the transport unions to prevent garages and motor parks from being turned into centres of electoral thuggery before and during the 2027 elections.

Fatai further called on parents, community and religious leaders, educators and the media to work together to protect youths from criminal exploitation, political manipulation and online misinformation.

He assured that the Lagos state Police Command would provide a safe environment for lawful political activities, but warned that anyone who engages in violence, intimidation or other criminal conduct would face the law.

“Participate peacefully or be prepared to face the consequences of unlawful conduct,” he warned.