Isiyaku Ahmed
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has formally adopted the Abuja Youth Declaration on Peace, Responsible Citizenship and Democratic Participation, urging young Nigerians to reject political and digital thuggery.
In a statement issued on Saturday, CSP Ani Iniedu, Force Public Relations Officer, Force Headquarters, said the IGP made the commitment on Saturday at the closing ceremony of the three-day International Youth Day 2026 program held in Abuja.
According to the statement, the program, organised under the National Youth Leadership and Security Initiative of the Nigeria Police Force, was held under the theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” with the campaign, “My Future is Greater Than Political and Digital Thuggery.”
The closing ceremony featured the International Youth Day Honours and Awards, the launch of a national campaign against political and digital thuggery and electoral violence, the investiture of National Youth Ambassadors and the presentation of the book, Esteemed Youths.
A major outcome of the three-day engagement was the formal adoption of the Abuja Youth Declaration by the Inspector-General of Police.
Disu said the programme had moved beyond speeches to practical engagement through panel discussions, a walkathon, tree-planting exercise and other activities designed to promote responsibility and positive action among young Nigerians.
He said the initiative would be sustained beyond Abuja, with the Nigeria Police Force taking the campaign to schools, tertiary institutions, NYSC formations and youth organisations across the country.
The IGP urged young Nigerians to take ownership of the commitments contained in the Abuja Youth Declaration and allow them to guide their civic participation, online behaviour and relationship with their communities and the nation.
He also reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to working with young people as partners in crime prevention, protection, peaceful democratic participation and responsible digital citizenship.
In her goodwill message, the National President of the Police Officers’ Wives Association, Chief Mrs. Olufunmilola Mutiat Disu, urged youths to reject violence, political thuggery, cybercrime, hate and misinformation.
She encouraged young Nigerians to deploy their voices, ideas, skills and digital platforms for positive purposes, stressing that their future was greater than political and digital thuggery.
The Nigeria Police Force appreciated government institutions, development partners, private-sector sponsors, facilitators, speakers, volunteers and youth participants for their contributions to the success of the programme.
The Force said it would sustain the momentum of the initiative and deepen police-youth partnerships as part of efforts to promote peace, security and national development.
