Lagos Police launch campaign to curb political, digital thuggery among youth

Michael Olumide Alabi

Lagos State Police Command has intensified its engagement with young people through a peace walk and the launch of a campaign against political and digital thuggery as part of activities marking the 2026 International Youth Day.

The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, led officers, youth organisations and other stakeholders on the Peace Walk on Aug. 26, 2026.

The initiative, organised in commemoration of International Youth Day 2026, was held under the theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.”

It also marked the commencement of the Command’s Campaign Against Political and Digital Thuggery, aimed at sensitising young people to the dangers associated with political violence, online harassment, cultism, drug abuse and other forms of youth-related criminality.

The campaign is part of efforts by the Lagos State Police Command to deepen police-community relations and encourage young people to become active partners in maintaining peace and security.

The initiative is also in line with the vision and directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, to strengthen police-community partnerships and increase constructive engagement between the police and young Nigerians.

Youth organisations participate

The Peace Walk attracted representatives of several youth and community-based organisations, demonstrating a broad stakeholder approach to the campaign.

Participants included representatives of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN), Crime Reporters Association of Nigeria (CRAN) and the National Association of Online Social News Publishers (NAOSNP).

The participation of the organisations provided an avenue for the police to directly engage young people and other stakeholders on their responsibilities in maintaining peace and preventing criminal activities.

The Command said the Peace Walk was designed not merely as a symbolic event but as part of a broader campaign to encourage positive youth engagement and responsible citizenship.

Police target political, digital thuggery

A major focus of the campaign is the growing concern over political and digital forms of thuggery.

The Command said young people needed to understand the consequences of allowing themselves to be used as instruments of violence or intimidation during political activities.

The police also emphasised the need for responsible use of digital platforms, particularly as social media has become a major avenue for political communication, public discourse and mobilisation.

The campaign seeks to discourage the use of digital platforms to threaten, harass, intimidate, spread harmful content or promote violence against political opponents and other members of society.

The police urged youths to use their energy, creativity and digital skills positively by promoting constructive dialogue, peace and national development.

Call to reject cultism, drug abuse

Another key area of concern highlighted by the Command was the involvement of young people in cultism, drug abuse and hooliganism.

The police called on youths to reject activities that could destroy their future, expose them to criminal prosecution or undermine peace in their communities.

The Command stressed that young people remain critical stakeholders in the security architecture of the country and should therefore see themselves as partners with the police rather than merely subjects of law enforcement.

Through the campaign, the police aim to encourage young people to report suspicious activities, provide credible information to security agencies and work with community leaders to prevent crime.

Building Police-Community partnership

The Peace Walk also underscored the importance of collaboration between security agencies and the communities they serve.

The Lagos State Police Command maintained that effective policing cannot be achieved by law enforcement agencies alone, particularly in a rapidly changing society where young people play a significant role in shaping public opinion and social behaviour.

The Command, therefore, encouraged youth organisations, community leaders, civil society groups, transport unions, students and media practitioners to strengthen their partnership with the police.

Such collaboration, according to the Command, would help create a safer environment and improve the flow of credible information needed to prevent crime.

Youths as partners in national development

The International Youth Day celebration provided an opportunity for the police to remind young Nigerians of their potential role in building a peaceful and prosperous society.

With the theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” the 2026 celebration highlights the shared aspirations of young people despite differences in their social, economic, political and cultural backgrounds.

The Lagos Command said young people should be encouraged to channel their talents and aspirations towards productive activities rather than violence and criminality.

The Command further emphasised that peace and security are necessary foundations for economic growth, education, employment and other opportunities required for young people to realise their potential.

Appeal to stakeholders

The Command called on youth leaders and participating organisations to sustain the message beyond the Peace Walk by taking the campaign to their respective communities, schools, associations and social media platforms.

It also urged parents, religious leaders, traditional rulers, educators and community leaders to support initiatives aimed at keeping young people away from crime and violent activities.

The police said sustained engagement with young people would help build mutual trust and create a stronger partnership between law enforcement agencies and the communities.

The Command reaffirmed its commitment to protecting lives and property while working with young people and other stakeholders to maintain peace across Lagos State.

The peace walk and campaign against

Political and Digital Thuggery, therefore, marked another step in the Command’s efforts to move beyond conventional policing and embrace preventive, community-oriented and partnership-driven approaches to security.

The Lagos State Police Command urged young people to reject violence, cultism, drug abuse, hooliganism and all forms of political and digital thuggery, stressing that they have a critical role to play in building a peaceful and secure Lagos and Nigeria.