The Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Disu, has warned Nigerian youths against allowing politicians to use them as instruments of violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Disu, who spoke on Saturday at the closing ceremony of the 2026 International Youth Day National Youth Leadership and Security Initiative of the Nigeria Police Force, urged youths to protect their future by rejecting political violence, digital thuggery, hate and misinformation.

He said the future of Nigerian youths must be greater than political and digital thuggery, stressing that young Nigerians should not allow anyone to use their present circumstances to destroy their future.

The IGP said, “As we move towards the 2027 General Elections, we must ensure that Nigerian youths are never used as instruments of political violence. Do not allow anyone to use your today to destroy your tomorrow”.

The three-day initiative, which had the theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” also featured the campaign, “My Future Is Greater Than Political and Digital Thuggery.”

Disu said the initiative was designed to move youth engagement beyond speeches and discussions to concrete action, responsibility and national development.

According to him, activities including panel sessions, a walkathon and tree-planting exercise had demonstrated that Nigerian youths could become active partners in building a peaceful and secure country.

He said despite differences in language, background and opinions, Nigerian youths shared common aspirations for peace, security, opportunity and dignity.

“We may come from different parts of Nigeria, speak different languages and hold different opinions, but our aspirations are the same. We want peace, security, opportunity and dignity,” he said.

The police chief stressed that the initiative must not end with the closing ceremony, saying the Nigeria Police Force would take the campaign beyond Abuja to schools, tertiary institutions, NYSC formations and youth organisations across the country.

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

He also challenged young Nigerians to take ownership of the Abuja Youth Declaration on Peace, Responsible Citizenship and Democratic Participation adopted during the programme.

According to him, the declaration must not become another document that would be signed and forgotten but should translate into responsible conduct in communities and online spaces.

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

Disu further urged young Nigerians to make conscious choices about how they use technology, warning against deploying social media to spread hatred, misinformation and violence.

He said: “You can be the generation that is manipulated into destroying communities, or the generation that builds them. You can spread hatred online, or use technology to educate, innovate and connect. The choice is yours”.

The IGP said history would judge the present generation not merely by what it inherited but by what it did with the opportunities available to it.

He also charged the Youth Ambassadors formally recognised by the Nigeria Police Force, Ann Nwawhodoh and Olugbenga “GB” Agboola, to serve as effective bridges between the Police and young Nigerians.

Disu said the partnership between the Police and youths must be based on mutual responsibility, noting that security could not be left to law enforcement agencies alone.

“The Police must listen to the youths, and the youths must work with the Police. Security is not the responsibility of the Police alone. It is a shared responsibility,” he said.

The IGP also congratulated recipients of the Youth Honours and Awards introduced during the initiative, urging them to regard their recognition as a responsibility to inspire and create opportunities for others.

He commended development and international partners, civil society organisations, government institutions, private-sector sponsors, facilitators, speakers, volunteers and the organising committee for supporting the programme.

Disu also praised police officers and personnel involved in organising the initiative, as well as the young participants for their enthusiasm and openness.

He declared the 2026 International Youth Day–National Youth Leadership and Security Initiative closed with a renewed call on Nigerian youths to make peace, responsibility and nation-building their priorities.

“When you are tempted to believe that one person cannot make a difference, remember that every great change begins with a choice,” he said.

The IGP said; “My future is greater than political and digital thuggery. Let us choose peace, responsibility and Nigeria.” (The Nation)

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