2026 IYD: CP cautions youths against violence, political thuggery

Akwa Ibom State's Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare, has cautioned Nigeria's youth against engaging in violence or political thuggery. Instead, he urged them to embrace the "My Future Is Greater Than Political Thuggery" campaign. Speaking at the International Youth Day 2026 National Youth Leadership & Security Initiative in Uyo, Azare emphasized that no political ambition is worth one's life or future.

He urged the youths to participate in democratic processes without resorting to thuggery, stating that politics should be a contest of ideas and service, not a battlefield.

Azare noted that despite youths coming from diverse backgrounds and circumstances, they share common aspirations for education, employment, security, justice, equal opportunity, and a better future. He also emphasized the importance of protecting government infrastructure, describing public facilities as collective assets for the people's benefit. Citizens were urged to report acts of vandalism and suspicious activities to the police instead of taking matters into their own hands.

On digital responsibility, the Commissioner reiterated the campaign's message to "Think Before You Click, Verify Before You Share," urging youths to avoid misinformation, cyberbullying, defamatory content, manipulated media, and misuse of artificial intelligence. He stressed that the power of social media comes with responsibility.

CP Azare warned that individuals indulging in cybercrime or other vices would face consequences under the law, regardless of their status or affiliation. He also appealed to political actors and community leaders to refrain from exploiting youths for electoral violence. The Commissioner praised Governor Pastor Umo Eno for his commitment to youth development, particularly for integrating youth presidents and leadership structures into the state's security architecture.

A notable event during the celebration was the official launch of the "ONE TO TELL TEN" Youth Engagement Programme, designed to spread positive security messages across communities.