Ogun Police Warn Youth Against Political Thuggery, Cybercrime

By Adebola Muili

The Ogun State Police Command has warned youths against allowing themselves to be used for political violence, digital harassment and other criminal activities, urging them to embrace education, entrepreneurship and legitimate skills for a better future.

The warning formed part of activities marking the 2026 International Youth Day in Abeokuta on Thursday, August 21, 2026, where the Command launched a statewide campaign tagged “My Future is Better than Political and Digital Thuggery.”

The campaign, according to the Command, is in line with the strategic vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, who recently stressed that no political ambition was worth the future or life of any youth.

The programme began with a sensitisation walkathon involving police officers and men, as well as personnel and representatives of the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency, Nigerian Army, Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps, Amotekun Corps and Ogun State Fire Service.

Also participating were the Police Officers’ Wives Association, Police Community Relations Committee Youth Wing, Girl Guides Association, Nigeria Youth Parliament, National Youth Council of Nigeria, National Association of Nigerian Students and the Freelance and Independent Broadcasters’ Association of Nigeria, among others.

Addressing participants, the Commissioner of Police, CP Bode Ojajuni, urged young Nigerians to reject attempts to turn them into instruments of political violence and digital harassment.

Ojajuni said the Command was committed to providing a safe environment where young people could develop their potentials and contribute meaningfully to society.

The second phase of the programme, held at the Police Officers’ Mess, Ibara Housing Estate, Abeokuta, was organised in collaboration with the Nigerian Youth Parliament under the theme, “Youth Empowerment for a Sustainable Future.”

Representing the Commissioner at the engagement session, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Adeoye Olugbemiga, described security as a shared responsibility and urged the youths to shun cultism, cybercrime, substance abuse and political thuggery.

He encouraged them to pursue education, entrepreneurship, technology and legitimate skills as alternatives to criminal activities.

Also speaking, a legal practitioner and youth advocate, Dr Kayode Akinsola, said genuine youth empowerment should go beyond temporary financial assistance to include capacity building, digital literacy, mentorship and participation in decision-making.

Akinsola urged the youths to channel their energy into productive activities, warning that passion without discipline could become destructive.

He challenged them to move “from scrolling to creating, from complaining to contributing, and from political thuggery to purposeful leadership.”

The event also featured an interactive panel session involving DCP Adeoye Olugbemiga; Lt. Col. P.L. Ebaji, representing the 35 Artillery Brigade; UN Award winner, Amb. Habeeb Whyte; and Convener of the Skillup Summit, Mrs Queen Joy Adeola Oluyege.

The panellists stressed the importance of proactive civic participation, productive engagement and personal responsibility, while encouraging successful young people to create opportunities for others.

The Command said the question-and-answer session also provided an opportunity for youths to raise concerns on civic participation, law enforcement relations and personal development.

The Deputy Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Oluborode Opeyemi, in a statement issued on Friday, August 21, said the Command would continue to strengthen community policing through school outreach, mentorship initiatives and digital literacy campaigns.

He added that the Command would also work with parents, educators and community leaders to guide young Nigerians towards constructive participation in nation-building.