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From Molly Kilete and Abdulrazaq Mungadi, Abuja
Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has warned Nigerian youths against allowing themselves to be recruited by politicians for violence, misinformation, digital thuggery and intimidation ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Disu, who gave the warning in Abuja yesterday at the opening of the National Youth Leadership and Security Dialogue organised by the Nigeria Police Force to commemorate the 2026 International Youth Day, urged youths to participate actively, peacefully and lawfully in the electoral process.
He said the future Nigerian youths were expected to protect was not theirs alone, but that of the country.
The IGP urged youths to resist attempts by political actors to manipulate them into violence and criminality for political gains.
According to him, “Do not allow yourself to be recruited for violence. Second, do not carry a weapon for anybody’s political ambition.
“Third, do not become an instrument of misinformation, hate or digital intimidation. Fourth, participate actively, peacefully and lawfully in our democracy.
“Fifth, protect your future. Because your future is not yours alone. Your future is Nigeria’s future.”
Disu said the police had a responsibility to provide a safe and peaceful environment for citizens to exercise their rights and participate in free, fair and credible elections.
He, however, warned that the police would not protect acts of violence committed under the guise of political participation. The police boss also appealed to political leaders and actors across the political spectrum not to use youths to fight their political battles.
He said: “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.”
The IGP said the security dialogue was not simply about telling young Nigerians what not to do, but about building a partnership that would provide them with constructive alternatives.
He said the Nigeria Police Force wanted to engage youths as partners in building safer communities, preventing violence, combating cybercrime, promoting responsible digital citizenship, protecting vulnerable persons and strengthening peaceful democratic participation.
Disu also cautioned youths against allowing themselves to be used during the 2027 electoral cycle, noting that politicians who contest elections may eventually reconcile after campaigns.
“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,” he said.
“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.”
The IGP said the police recognised and respected 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 remained peaceful and lawful.
“Our responsibility is to create the security environment in which these democratic rights can be exercised freely and safely,” he said.
“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.
“But let me be equally clear: We will not protect violence.”
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Disu said the police would not tolerate the recruitment or mobilisation of youths for political violence, possession or use of weapons for electoral purposes, attacks on political opponents, voter intimidation, destruction of public or private property or 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,” he said.
The police boss also identified the digital space as a new frontier of political thuggery, warning youths that political violence could now begin on smartphones.
He listed misinformation, disinformation, hate speech, cyberbullying, impersonation, deepfakes, online intimidation and coordinated digital attacks among emerging threats capable of damaging reputations, inflaming communities, provoking real-world violence and undermining 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?’”
Disu urged youths to “think before you click, verify before you share and pause before you post.”
He said the voice of young Nigerians mattered in their communities, schools, workplaces, online spaces and the democratic process, but added that influence came with responsibility.
According to him, youths have the power to shape conversations, challenge injustice, mobilise communities, create businesses, develop technology, influence public policy and redefine Nigeria’s future.
He urged them not to surrender that influence to individuals seeking to manipulate it for destructive purposes.
“You have a choice. You can choose to be used, or you can choose to lead. You can choose violence, or you can choose peace. You can choose destruction, or you can choose innovation.
“You can choose political thuggery, or you can choose education, entrepreneurship, technology, creativity and service. Choose leadership. Choose responsibility. Choose your future,” the IGP said.
Meanwhile, Gombe State Police Command has also launched a campaign against political and digital thuggery, urging youths to reject violence, misinformation and other activities capable of undermining democracy and peaceful coexistence.
Commissioner of Police, Umar Chuso, said the initiative was organised in line with the directive of IGP Disu.
Chuso said the campaign was aimed at reminding young Nigerians that no political ambition or temporary financial inducement was worth sacrificing their future.
He identified political violence, electoral thuggery, fake news, hate speech, cyberbullying and other forms of digital manipulation as growing threats to democratic processes and public peace.
According to him, political thuggery has deprived communities of peace and reduced youths to instruments of destruction rather than development, while digital platforms have created new avenues for the spread of false information and incitement to violence.
“One click can now cause more damage than a bullet and one false post can set a whole community on fire,” he said.
The Commissioner urged youths to think carefully before posting or reposting information, resist political manipulation, use digital platforms responsibly and become ambassadors of peace before, during and after elections.
He also reaffirmed the Police Command’s commitment to proactive policing through public enlightenment, stakeholder collaboration and enforcement of relevant laws.
Chuso called on government institutions, security agencies, the Independent National Electoral Commission (INEC), National Orientation Agency (NOA), traditional and religious leaders, civil society organisations, youth groups and the media to actively contribute to efforts aimed at promoting peaceful political participation and responsible digital citizenship.
He said the campaign would provide an opportunity for stakeholders and young people to exchange ideas on preventing political and digital violence and building a safer democratic environment in Gombe State.
