The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has warned Nigerian youths against allowing themselves to be recruited for political violence, urging them to protect their future by embracing peaceful participation, innovation and responsible citizenship.
Disu gave the warning at the National Youth Leadership and Security Dialogue organised by the Nigeria Police Force to commemorate International Youth Day 2026, with the theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” and the campaign, “My Future Is Greater Than Political And Digital Thuggery.”
The IGP said the dialogue was particularly timely as Nigeria approaches the 2027 electoral cycle, stressing that although young Nigerians may come from diverse ethnic, religious, geographical and political backgrounds, they share common aspirations for security, education, meaningful opportunities, decent livelihoods, justice and dignity.
He cautioned youths against sacrificing these aspirations for political expediency, criminality or violence.
According to him, politicians may reconcile after elections, but young Nigerians recruited into electoral violence could lose their lives, freedom, property or health permanently.
“Politicians contest elections, but you live with the consequences of those elections,” Disu said, urging youths not to allow themselves to be used to fight political battles that could ultimately destroy their own future.
The IGP reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to protecting the constitutional rights of citizens to participate in political activities, support political parties and campaign for candidates, provided such activities remain peaceful and lawful.
He said the Police would protect citizens, facilitate peaceful campaigns, secure candidates and campaign venues, and protect the integrity of the electoral environment.
However, Disu warned that the Force would not tolerate violence disguised as political participation.
He specifically warned against the recruitment and mobilisation of youths for political violence, possession or use of weapons for electoral purposes, attacks on political opponents, voter intimidation, destruction of property and other criminal activities.
The IGP also appealed to political leaders across the political spectrum not to recruit, arm, finance or incite young Nigerians to commit violence.
“Do not recruit our young people to fight your political battles. Do not arm them. Do not finance violence. Do not incite them against their fellow citizens,” he said.
Digital Thuggery: IGP Warns Against Online Violence
Disu identified digital platforms as a new frontier for political and social violence, warning that misinformation, disinformation, hate speech, cyberbullying, impersonation, deepfakes and coordinated online attacks could damage reputations, inflame communities and undermine confidence in democratic institutions.
He urged young Nigerians to verify information before sharing it and to exercise responsibility in their use of social media.
“Think before you click. Verify before you share. Pause before you post,” he advised.
The IGP said the digital footprint of young Nigerians was now an important part of their citizenship, urging them to consider whether their online activities would contribute to building or destroying the country.
Police Seeks Stronger Partnership With Youths
Disu said the Nigeria Police Force was not interested only in telling young people what not to do, but in building a partnership that would provide them with positive alternatives.
He said the Force wanted young Nigerians to become partners in building safer communities, preventing violence, combating cybercrime, promoting responsible digital citizenship, protecting vulnerable persons and strengthening peaceful democratic participation.
The IGP stressed that security was a shared responsibility requiring collaboration among the Police, youths, civil society organisations, government institutions, the private sector and other stakeholders.
He challenged young Nigerians to reject political violence, avoid carrying weapons for political interests, resist misinformation and hate, and participate actively and lawfully in the democratic process.
Disu urged the youths to choose education, entrepreneurship, technology, creativity and public service over political thuggery and criminality.
He said Nigeria’s future depended significantly on the choices made by its young population.
“My future is not yours alone. Your future is Nigeria’s future,” the IGP told the youths.
He expressed the hope that history would remember the present generation as one that refused to be used for violence, but instead chose peace, innovation, responsible citizenship and the protection of democracy.
The IGP subsequently declared the National Youth Leadership and Security Dialogue commemorating International Youth Day 2026 formally open, with a call on Nigerian youths to protect, build and own their future while contributing to a safer, more peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.
