Kogi Police Urge Youths to Reject Political, Digital Thuggery at International Youth Day
By Zagazola Makama
The Kogi State Police Command has urged young people to reject political and digital thuggery and channel their energy towards nation-building, responsible citizenship and community security.
The command made the call on Saturday, August 22, 2026, during activities to commemorate International Youth Day in Lokoja, the state capital.
The celebration commenced with a sensitisation walkathon through major parts of Lokoja, involving police personnel, sister security agencies, student unions and other youth groups.
The exercise was led by the Commissioner of Police, Kogi State Command, CP Bello Naziru Kankarofi, alongside members of the command’s management team.
During the sensitisation programme, participants were warned about the dangers of political thuggery, digital manipulation and other forms of youth involvement in activities capable of undermining public peace and security.
The command subsequently held an interactive lecture and engagement session on “Youth Security and Nation Building.”
The session featured the Commissioner of Police, CP Bello Naziru Kankarofi; the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, DCP Sadisu Umar Tafida; representative of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Comrade Abu Salih Shuaibu; and representative of the Special Adviser on Youth, Hon. Samuel Kaziri.
Other members of the panel included the Dean of Student Affairs, Federal University Lokoja, Prof. Isah Yunusa; youth representative of the Council of Ulama, Barr. Idris Abdullahi, Esq.; Executive Chairman of Lokoja Local Government Area, Comrade Abdullahi Adamu; youth representative of the Christian Association of Nigeria, Evangelist Sokwo Emmanuel Merida; and Executive Director of CPI, Mrs Eunice Abibola Abogun.
The Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Afusat Salihu, moderated the interactive session.
The engagement provided an opportunity for security officials, government representatives, religious leaders, students and youth organisations to discuss the role of young people in maintaining peace and strengthening national development.
The command also encouraged young Nigerians to embrace positive leadership, education and constructive civic participation while avoiding criminal activities and manipulation by political actors.
The programme was attended by the Chairwoman of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Kogi State Chapter, members of students’ unions, Boys Scouts and other personnel of the command.
A police source said the event was conducted peacefully and ended at about 2:00 p.m. without any security incident.
The command said the area remained relatively calm after the programme.
