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The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Olatunji Disu, has formally adopted the Abuja Youth Declaration on Peace, Responsible Citizenship and Democratic Participation, urging young Nigerians to take ownership of the commitments contained in the document.
Disu adopted the declaration during the closing ceremony of the three-day International Youth Day 2026 programme held in Abuja.
In a statement, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Iniedo, said the programme was organised under the National Youth Leadership and Security Initiative of the Nigeria Police Force (NPF).
It was held under the theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” alongside the campaign, “My Future is Greater Than Political and Digital Thuggery.”
The closing ceremony featured the International Youth Day Honours and Awards Ceremony, the launch of the national campaign against political and digital thuggery and electoral violence, the investiture of National Youth Ambassadors, as well as the presentation of a book titled Esteemed Youths.
Iniedo said the adoption of the Abuja Youth Declaration was one of the major outcomes of the three-day engagement, which brought together young Nigerians and stakeholders to deliberate on peace, security, responsible citizenship and democratic participation.
Speaking at the ceremony, the IGP said the programme had gone beyond speeches to practical engagement through panel sessions, a walkathon, tree-planting exercise and other activities designed to promote responsibility and positive action among young Nigerians.
He said the initiative would not end in Abuja, noting that the Nigeria Police Force would take the campaign to schools, tertiary institutions, National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) formations and youth organisations across the country.
Disu urged young Nigerians to take ownership of the commitments contained in the Abuja Youth Declaration and allow them to guide their civic participation, online conduct and relationship with their communities and the nation.
He also reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to working with youths 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, Olufunmilola Disu, urged young Nigerians to reject violence, political thuggery, cybercrime, hate and misinformation.
She called on the youths to embrace peace, responsibility and purposeful leadership, urging them to use their voices, ideas, skills and digital platforms positively.
According to her, young Nigerians should recognise that their future is greater than political and digital thuggery and should therefore avoid being used to promote violence and other criminal activities.
The NPF 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 remained committed to sustaining the momentum of the initiative and deepening police-youth partnerships in the interest of peace, security and national development.
