2027: Disu Warns Youths Against Political Thuggery, Digital Violence

Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has warned Nigerian youths against allowing politicians to use them as tools for electoral violence ahead of the 2027 general elections.

Disu said young Nigerians recruited into political violence risked losing their lives, freedom and property, while the politicians who sponsored them could eventually reconcile after the elections.

The IGP gave the warning at the National Youth Leadership and Security Dialogue organised by the Nigeria Police Force to mark International Youth Day 2026, with the theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,” and the campaign, “My Future Is Greater Than Political and Digital Thuggery.”

He said the dialogue was timely as the country approached another electoral cycle, urging youths to protect their aspirations from being sacrificed for political interests, criminality and violence.

“Politicians contest elections, but you live with the consequences of those elections,” Disu said.

He added that political actors could reconcile after an election, but a young Nigerian who lost his or her life to electoral violence would not have the opportunity to return home.

“Do not allow anyone to use your youth to fight a battle that ultimately destroys your own future,” he said.

Disu assured Nigerians that the police would provide security for citizens, candidates, campaign venues and public spaces, while ensuring that political activities were conducted peacefully and within the law.

He, however, warned that the force would not tolerate violence disguised as political participation.

“We will not protect violence. We will not tolerate the recruitment or mobilisation of young Nigerians for political violence,” the IGP said.

He listed possession or use of weapons for electoral purposes, attacks on political opponents, voter intimidation, destruction of public and private property and other criminal acts as offences the police would not overlook.

According to him, the warning was directed at all political actors and individuals who might attempt to undermine public safety during the electoral process, irrespective of their political affiliation.

Disu also appealed to political leaders to stop recruiting youths to fight their battles, saying they should neither arm nor finance young Nigerians to perpetrate violence.

“Do not recruit our young people to fight your political battles. Do not arm them. Do not finance violence. Do not incite them against their fellow citizens,” he said.

The IGP said Nigeria could not build a secure and prosperous future by destroying the generation expected to inherit it.

He noted that the threat of political violence had expanded beyond the streets, with smartphones and social media providing new channels for political manipulation and the escalation of conflicts.

“Political violence is no longer confined to the streets. It can begin on a smartphone,” Disu warned.

He identified misinformation, disinformation, hate speech, cyberbullying, impersonation, deepfakes, online intimidation and coordinated digital attacks as emerging threats capable of damaging reputations, inflaming communities, triggering physical violence and weakening public confidence in democratic institutions.

Disu urged young Nigerians to exercise caution before sharing or publishing content online, particularly during the political season.

“Before you forward a message, verify it. Before you publish an allegation, establish the facts. Before you attack someone online, remember that there is a human being behind the screen,” he said.

He encouraged youths to adopt the principle, “Think before you click. Verify before you share. Pause before you post.”

Rather than allowing their influence to be exploited for violence, Disu urged young Nigerians to use their voices to shape public discourse, challenge injustice, mobilise communities, create businesses, develop technology and contribute to policymaking.

“You have a choice. You can choose to be used, or you can choose to lead. You can choose violence, or you can choose peace. You can choose destruction, or you can choose innovation,” he said.

The IGP said the police-youth engagement was intended not only to warn young Nigerians against harmful activities but also to build a partnership through which they could contribute to safer communities and peaceful democratic participation.

He said the Nigeria Police Force would work with youths to prevent violence, combat cybercrime, promote responsible digital citizenship, protect vulnerable people and strengthen democratic institutions.

Disu also described security as a shared responsibility, commending civil society organisations, government agencies, the private sector and other stakeholders for investing in Nigerian youths.

He charged young Nigerians to reject political violence, refuse to carry weapons for political interests, shun misinformation and hate speech, and participate actively and lawfully in the democratic process.

“Protect your future. Because your future is not yours alone. Your future is Nigeria’s future,” he said.

Disu urged youths to ensure that their generation was remembered for rejecting violence and protecting the country’s democracy.

“I want history to remember this generation as the generation that refused to be used. The generation that chose peace over violence. The generation that chose innovation over destruction,” he said.

He urged them to choose responsible citizenship over criminality and contribute to building a safer and more prosperous Nigeria.

“Your future is greater than today. Protect it. Build it. Own it. And use it to build a safer, more peaceful and prosperous Nigeria,” Disu said.

He thereafter declared the National Youth Leadership and Security Dialogue formally open.