The Osun State Police Command has urged Nigerian youths to reject political and digital thuggery, saying their future is greater than violence, manipulation and exploitation.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Gotan, made the call on Saturday during a stakeholders’ summit held to commemorate International Youth Day 2026.
Gotan, who was represented by the Area Commander, Osogbo Area Command, ACP Temitope Adewumi, said the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, had approved the nationwide commemoration of Nigeria Police International Youth Day 2026 under the National Youth Leadership and Security Initiative, aligned with the United Nations theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.”
He said the Nigeria Police Force had also launched a national campaign, “My Future is Greater Than Political and Digital Thuggery”, aimed at discouraging political violence, electoral thuggery, digital manipulation and the exploitation of young people.
The commissioner said the initiative was anchored on five pillars: leadership, security, innovation and enterprise, responsible citizenship, and digital responsibility.
“These pillars are not just words on paper. They are the practical tools that will help you reject the destructive path of thuggery. The campaign covered both physical violence during elections and online attacks, hate speech and manipulation,” he said.
He told the youths that their future was greater than temporary payments for political violence and greater than using digital platforms to spread falsehoods or destroy reputations.
“The Nigeria Police Force is committed to standing with you, protecting you, and partnering with you. The police were not only responsible for enforcing the law but also for supporting the emergence of responsible leaders,” he stated.
The Chairman of the Osun Civil Societies Coalition, Waheed Lawal, said many of the challenges facing Nigeria were artificially created by the ruling class to make youths susceptible to manipulation.
Lawal urged youths to recognise that their lives and future were more important than the political ambitions of individuals, stressing that they should not allow politicians to divide or use them.
The Area Commander, Osogbo, ACP Temitope Adewumi, identified education as one of the most important factors in the life of a young person and urged youths to pursue both formal and informal education.
The Christian Association of Nigeria representative, Rev. Bajulaye Victor, said the programme had provided Nigerian youths with an opportunity to pursue their dreams, while warning that political thuggery could destroy destinies and digital thuggery could damage character.
Victor said, “CAN was ready to partner with the police and urged youths to reject attempts to use money or political interests to compromise their future. Your future is bigger than ballots and destiny greater than data.”
The Osun State Chairman of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Olakolupo Segun, commended the police for organising the programme and called for continued police neutrality to strengthen youths’ confidence in the institution. He also urged the police to engage and rehabilitate unorganised youths through dialogue.
The Salu of Edunabon, Oba Adesoji Oladapo, commended Osun youths for their role during the 15 August election and urged them not to allow themselves to be used as political thugs, encouraging them instead to remain focused on becoming useful members of society.
