The Lagos State Police Command has launched a campaign against political and digital thuggery and held a Police-Youth Dialogue to strengthen relations with young people and promote responsible citizenship ahead of the 2027 general elections.
The programme, held at the POWA Secretariat, Oduduwa Street, Lagos, was organised in line with the initiative and directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, and formed part of efforts to strengthen Police-Youth relations and sensitise young people against political thuggery, digital thuggery and other forms of criminality.
In a statement by the Command’s Police Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, the event brought together representatives of sister security agencies, youth organisations, student bodies, transport unions, community groups and media organisations, among other stakeholders.
Those in attendance included representatives of the 9 Brigade, Nigerian Army; 651 Base Service Group, Nigerian Air Force; Nigerian Navy, Beecroft; National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA); Federal Road Safety Corps (FRSC); and Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC).
Also present were members of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN) and National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
Adebisi said the programme featured an interactive Police-Youth Dialogue, during which participants discussed issues affecting young people, policing, security, political participation, social media, cultism, thuggery and other emerging security concerns.
She said the campaign was designed to encourage young people to use their energy, creativity and influence for positive development.
According to her, youths, despite operating in different social, economic and cultural environments, shared common aspirations for a peaceful, secure and prosperous society.
“Although young people operate in different social, economic and cultural contexts, they share common aspirations for a peaceful, secure and prosperous society,” Adebisi said.
She urged young people to reject violence, intimidation, misinformation and the misuse of digital platforms for criminal purposes.
Adebisi said the Police-Youth Dialogue also provided an opportunity for young people to openly discuss their concerns about policing and security and contribute to solutions to emerging challenges.
She said the Command recognised young people as important partners in maintaining peace and security and would continue to engage them through constructive dialogue and community-based initiatives.
The Command also recognised individuals and youth organisations for their contributions to Police-Youth relations and community security.
Engr. Adigun Ibrahim Olalekan, Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Lagos State, was honoured with an award as Police-Youth Ambassador.
The heads of NANS, CRAN, NAOSNP and the youth wing of the PCRC were also recognised for their contributions to security, youth engagement, community policing and the promotion of a safer Lagos State.
The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, commended the participating organisations, youth leaders, security agencies and other stakeholders for their support and participation.
Adebisi quoted the Commissioner as calling on youth leaders, transport unions, student bodies, community organisations, the media and other stakeholders to take ownership of the campaign and continuously engage their members on the need to shun political thuggery, cultism, cyber-enabled criminality and other forms of violence.
“Security is a shared responsibility. Residents, particularly young people, are urged to support the Police and other security agencies with credible and timely information that will assist in preventing crime and maintaining peace across the State,” he said.
The Command said it would continue to strengthen collaboration with young people and other stakeholders as part of efforts to build a safer and more secure Lagos.
