Akakan Umoh
Akwa Ibom Commissioner of Police, CP Baba Mohammed Azare has called on Nigerian youths to reject political thuggery, cultism, drug abuse, cybercrime, electoral violence, vandalism and other forms of criminality, while embracing peace, responsible citizenship and positive nation-building.
Speaking at the commemoration of International Youth Day 2026 National Youth Leadership & Security Initiative held at the state Police Command Headquarters, Ikot Akpan Abia, Uyo, CP Azare, said although young Nigerians come from different backgrounds and circumstances, they share common aspirations for education, employment, security, justice, equal opportunity and a better future.
The Commissioner urged youths to embrace the special national campaign, My Future Is Greater Than Political Thuggery, stressing that no political ambition is worth the life or future of any Nigerian youth.
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He admonished young people to participate actively in democratic processes, but reject violence, noting that politics should be a contest of ideas and service rather than a battlefield.
He equally appealed to political actors and community leaders to desist from exploiting youths as instruments of electoral violence.
CP Azare further urged youths to protect government infrastructure, describing public facilities as collective assets provided for the benefit of the people.
The Police boss called on the citizens to promptly report acts of vandalism and other suspicious activities to the police or appropriate security agencies rather than taking the law into their hands.
On digital responsibility, the Commissioner reinforced the campaign message, “Think Before You Click, Verify Before You Share,” urging youths to guard against misinformation, cyber bullying, defamatory content, manipulated media and the misuse of artificial intelligence.
He stressed that the power to communicate through social media must be accompanied by responsibility.
The Commissioner also commended Akwa Ibom Governor, Pastor Umo Eno, for his commitment to youth development and particularly for the initiative of integrating youth presidents and youth leadership structures into the security architecture of the State.
According to him, the initiative strengthens community participation in security, as youth leaders are strategically positioned to support intelligence gathering, early warning, community engagement and crime prevention.
A major highlight of the celebration was the formal launching of “ONE TO TELL TEN” Youth Engagement Programme, aimed at multiplying positive security messages across communities.
Launching the programme, CP Azare urged every youth reached by the initiative to take the message to at least ten other youths encouraging them to reject crime, political violence, cultism and drug abuse, embrace responsible use of social media, respect the rule of law and see the Police as partners in building safer communities.
The Commissioner declared: “ONE TO TELL TEN! TEN TO TELL A HUNDRED! A HUNDRED TO REACH THOUSANDS!”
He described the youths as indispensable partners in modern policing and assured them that the Nigeria Police Force remains committed to strengthening Police-youth relations, community policing, intelligence-led policing and professional protection of the rights and safety of all citizens.
CP Azare, however, warned that persons who choose violence, political thuggery, vandalism, cultism, kidnapping, armed robbery, cybercrime or other criminal activities would be dealt with in accordance with the law, irrespective of status or affiliation.
He, therefore, urged young Nigerians to choose knowledge over ignorance, dialogue over violence, truth over misinformation, innovation over criminality, protection over vandalism and patriotism over division.
“Your future is greater than political thuggery. Your talent is greater than cybercrime. Your voice is stronger than misinformation. You are too valuable to become an instrument of violence.”
The Command reaffirmed its commitment to working with youths, government, traditional and religious institutions, community leaders, the media and other stakeholders towards building a peaceful, secure and prosperous Akwa Ibom State.
