Kogi CP Urges Youths To Reject Political, Digital Thuggery

The Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Naziru Bello Kankarofi, has urged youths in the state to reject political violence, digital thuggery, misinformation and other forms of criminality capable of jeopardising their future.

Kankarofi made the call in Lokoja on Saturday, during the command’s commemoration of the 2026 International Youth Day, with the theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” and campaign theme, “My Future Is Greater Than Political and Digital Thuggery.”

He said the theme underscored the common aspirations of young people, irrespective of their backgrounds, including peace, security, opportunity, dignity and a better future.

The police commissioner said youths were not merely leaders of tomorrow but critical partners in building a safer society, stressing that their energy, creativity and influence in the digital space could either promote development or be exploited to fuel division and violence.

He urged youths to use social media responsibly, warning them against spreading false information, inciting violence and promoting hatred.

“Verify information before sharing it, disagree without violence, and remember that what is posted online can have real consequences offline,” he said.

Kankarofi also urged youths to shun being used as instruments of political violence as the country approaches future electoral activities.

He said, “No political ambition is worth your life, your freedom or your future. Participate peacefully, exercise your civic rights responsibly and hold firmly to the belief that your future is indeed greater than political and digital thuggery.”

The commissioner said effective policing could not be achieved without the trust and active participation of young people, adding that the youth campaign walk and moderated police-youth dialogue were designed to strengthen communication, build trust and identify practical ways of preventing crime.

He assured youths and other stakeholders of the command’s commitment to maintaining an open channel of communication and working with youth organisations, student bodies, religious groups and civil society organisations to strengthen security across the state.

He also commended the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, for promoting community-oriented policing, youth engagement and proactive crime prevention.

In her remarks, the Special Guest of Honour and Chairperson of the Police Officers Wives Association (POWA), Kogi State, Hajia Asma’u Nazir Bello Kankarofi, described the commemoration as timely and impactful.

She said the theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” reflected the shared desire of young people for peace, opportunity, dignity, security and a better future.

Hajia Asma’u particularly commended the campaign message, “My Future Is Greater Than Political and Digital Thuggery,” describing it as a powerful message that should resonate with every young person.
She said youths were important partners in building society and urged them to channel their energy, creativity, intelligence and courage towards positive development.

Also speaking, the Chairman of the Police Public Relations Committee, Tijani Ibrahim, called on all stakeholders to work closely with security agencies towards ensuring a violence-free society.

Ibrahim commended the Kogi State Police Command for organising the programme and urged parents to play their roles by properly guiding their children and wards to embrace peace and prioritise their personal security.

He stressed the need for collective responsibility among parents, security agencies, community leaders and young people in preventing crime and maintaining peace in the state.

The Executive Director, The Challenged Parenthood Initiative (CPI) a non-governmental organization, Eunice Abimbola Agbogun called on communities to be vigilant by promptly reporting any act of violence to the appropriate authorities for action.

She noted that as an organization advocating for vulnerable groups, focusing on women, children, the girl-child, and marginalized populations, they will continue to promote inclusion in governance, social welfare, and human rights, as way of preventing the young ones from going into crime.