Society
Osun Police launches campaign against political, digital thuggery on International Youth Day
By Isa Isawade
The Osun State Police Command has launched a campaign aimed at discouraging young Nigerians from engaging in political violence, electoral thuggery, digital manipulation and other forms of destructive online activities.
The campaign tagged “My Future is Greater Than Political and Digital Thuggery,” was unveiled on Saturday, August 22, 2026, during a stakeholders’ engagement organised by the Command to commemorate the International Youth Day at the Officers’ Mess, Oke-Fia, Osogbo.
Speaking at the event, the Osun State Commissioner of Police, represented by the Area Commander, Police Headquarters, Osogbo said the Inspector-General of Police had approved the nationwide commemoration of the Nigeria Police International Youth Day 2026 under the National Youth Leadership and Security Initiative.
He said this year’s observance was aligned with the United Nations theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” stressing that despite differences in background and experiences, Nigerian youths shared the aspiration for a country where they could “rise, thrive and lead with dignity.”
The Commissioner said the new campaign was designed to send a strong message to young Nigerians that their future should not be sacrificed for political violence or the manipulation of digital platforms.
“We will no longer allow political violence, electoral thuggery, digital manipulation, or the exploitation of our youth to steal your tomorrow,” he said.
He identified five key pillars of the National Youth Leadership and Security Initiative as leadership, security, innovation and enterprise, responsible citizenship, and digital responsibility.
According to him, the pillars are intended to provide practical tools for young people to reject destructive behaviours, whether in the form of physical violence during elections or online activities such as hate speech, digital attacks and manipulation.
The Commissioner urged young Nigerians to recognise that their future was more valuable than any temporary financial inducement to participate in political violence.
“Your future is greater than any temporary payment for political violence. Your future is greater than any keyboard used to spread lies or destroy reputations,” he said.
He also warned against allowing political actors and other individuals to exploit the energy and passion of young people for selfish purposes.
The Commissioner assured the youths that the Nigeria Police Force was committed not only to enforcing the law but also to partnering with young Nigerians and investing in the development of responsible future leaders.
He urged participants at the stakeholders’ engagement to embrace the five pillars of the initiative and demonstrate their commitment through their actions.
“Declare it with conviction and prove it with your actions: ‘My future is greater than political and digital thuggery,’” he charged.
He expressed optimism that the initiative would contribute to building a peaceful, prosperous and secure Nigeria, saying the country’s youths remained critical to achieving that goal.
The Commissioner concluded by calling for collective action among the police, stakeholders and young Nigerians to build a better Nigeria based on their “common aspirations.”
In his remarks at the event, the Area Commander Temitope emphasised education for the youth. According to him, the Nigerian youths need only three things to liberate themselves from manipulation by politicians for violent activities. These three ingredients he said are: education, education and education.
“Three things matter in the life of a youth. They are: One, education; two, education; and three, education. When the youths are educated and enlightened, no one will be able to manipulate them,” he said.
