The Inspector General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Rilwan Disu has issued a stern warning to the Nigerian political class against recruiting the country’s young people for political fights, while also cautioning politicians against financing or sponsoring electoral violence, as the 2027 full scale electioneering campaigns begin across the country.
Disu, speaking in a similar vein, charge the youth to stay away from thuggery, but remain focused on their future, emphasizing that their future is greater than political and digital thuggery.
The IGP made this remarks in his address at the National Youth Leadership and Security Dialogue, organised by the Nigeria Police Force to commemorate International Youth Day 2026, held in Abuja on Thursday.
In his address themed: “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations”, and a Campaign theme: “MY FUTURE IS GREATER THAN POLITICAL AND DIGITAL THUGGERY”, Disu noted that the themes were important as as Nigeria approaches another main electoral season, saying this dialogue could not have come at a more appropriate time.
According to him, the theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” captures an important truth about our nation. Nigeria is a country of remarkable diversity, in ethnicity, religion, geography, culture, political affiliation and lived experience. Yet, beneath these differences, our young people share common aspirations: the desire for a secure future, meaningful opportunities, quality education, decent livelihoods, dignity, justice and the freedom to pursue their dreams. The challenge before us is how to ensure that these aspirations are not sacrificed on the altar of political expediency, criminality or violence.
To the political class whom the IGP calls Political Actors, he said, “I therefore appeal to political leaders and actors across the political spectrum: 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. Do not encourage them to commit crimes today and promise to protect them tomorrow.
Nigeria cannot build a secure and prosperous future by destroying the generation that is expected to inherit that future.”
Disu, citing the former United Nations Secretary-General, Kofi Annan, who famously observed, “Young people should be at the forefront of global change and innovation,” said “that is the role we want Nigerian youths to play, not as instruments of destruction, but as drivers of national transformation”.
The IGP acknowledged a new trend of crime he described as The New Frontier: Digital Thuggery, that needs urgent confrontation. Because the young people are found to fall into this class.
He said, there is, however, another battlefield that we must confront, and it is one that fits into the palm of your hand. Political violence is no longer confined to the streets. It can begin on a smartphone.
Cyberbullying, intimidation are increasingly capable of damaging reputations, inflaming communities, provoking real-world violence and undermining public confidence in democratic institutions.
“To every young Nigerian holding a smartphone, I say: your digital footprint is part of your citizenship. Before you forward a message, verify it. Before you publish an allegation, establish the facts. Before you attack someone online, remember that there is a human being behind the screen. Before you share inflammatory content, ask yourself one question: “Will this build Nigeria or burn Nigeria?” Our message should therefore be simple: Think Before You Click. Verify Before You Share. Pause Before You Post. Your Voice Matters,” the IGP urged.
Speaking further, Disu cautioned, “as we approach the 2027 electoral cycle, I urge you to remember a simple but profound reality: politicians contest elections, but you live with the consequences of those elections. When the campaign is over, political actors may reconcile. When political rivals disagree, they may eventually shake hands. But the young Nigerian who loses his or her life to electoral violence does not return home. The person who is arrested must face the law. The person permanently injured carries the scars. The family whose property is destroyed bears the loss. Do not allow anyone to use your youth to fight a battle that ultimately destroys your own future”.
On the role of the Nigeria Police Force, he explained, that the Force fully recognises and respects the constitutional rights of Nigerians to participate in political activities, support political parties, express their opinions and campaign for candidates of their choice, provided such activities remain peaceful and lawful.
“Our responsibility is to create the security environment in which these democratic rights can be exercised freely and safely,” he added.
“We will protect citizens. We will facilitate peaceful campaigns. We will secure candidates, campaign venues and public spaces within the law. We will protect the integrity of the electoral environment”.
The IGP warned, “But let me be equally clear: We will not protect violence.
“We will not tolerate the recruitment or mobilisation of young Nigerians for political violence. We will not tolerate the possession or use of weapons for electoral purposes, attacks on political opponents, intimidation of voters, destruction of public or private property, or any other criminal conduct disguised as political participation. The law will take its course against anyone who crosses that line. And this message is not directed at one political party or one political interest. It is directed at everyone”.
The police boss concluded with an advice to the youth, “The generation that chose responsible citizenship over criminality. The generation that protected democracy. And the generation that built a better Nigeria.
“My dear young Nigerians, your future is greater than today.
Protect it. Build it. Own it. And use it to build a safer, more peaceful and prosperous Nigeria.”
