Rita Enemuru, Reporting
THE Delta State Police Command has commenced activities marking the 2026 International Youth Day with a campaign urging young people to reject political and digital thuggery, violence, cultism and other criminal activities capable of jeopardising their future.
The three-day programme, being held from August 20 to 22 under the theme, “Different Contexts, Common Aspirations”, is part of the Nigeria Police Force’s National Youth Leadership and Security Initiative and is aimed at strengthening engagement between the police and young people.
The Command commenced the programme on Thursday with the official launch of the national campaign against political and digital thuggery at Koka Junction, Asaba.
The Commissioner of Police in Delta State, CP Yemi Oyeniyi, accompanied by senior officers of the Command, engaged youths, commercial transport operators and other members of the public during the launch.
The engagement focused on the dangers of crime, violence, political thuggery and the misuse of digital platforms, with the police calling on young people to resist attempts by criminal elements and politicians to exploit them.
Oyeniyi urged youths to embrace responsible citizenship and channel their energy and talents into education, entrepreneurship, innovation, sports and other productive ventures.
The campaign carries the message, “My Future Is Greater Than Political and Digital Thuggery”, highlighting the need for young people to protect their long-term aspirations rather than allow themselves to be used for criminal or political interests.
The Delta Police Command said the initiative was being implemented in line with the vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, to strengthen police-youth relations and encourage young Nigerians to contribute positively to peace, security and community development.
As part of the programme, a youth sensitisation walkathon is scheduled for Friday, August 21, beginning from the Police Headquarters on Okpanam Road, Asaba, at 7am.
The programme will conclude on Saturday, August 22, with a police-youth dialogue, panel discussion and special lecture at the Officers’ Mess, Police Headquarters, Okpanam Road, Asaba.
The sessions are expected to provide young people with an opportunity to engage law enforcement officers and other stakeholders on responsible citizenship, peaceful participation in society, digital responsibility and crime prevention.
Lectures will also focus on issues including drug abuse and cultism, as well as the dangers of political and digital thuggery.
The Command said the International Youth Day activities were designed not only as a law enforcement campaign but also as a platform for dialogue and mentorship, recognising the role young people can play in building safer communities.
The police urged youths and members of the public across Delta State to participate actively in the remaining activities and support the campaign against the exploitation of young people for political violence and online criminality.
The Command stressed that young people have a greater future to protect and should therefore resist activities that could expose them to crime, violence, arrest or other consequences that could derail their ambitions.
The 2026 International Youth Day observance in Delta State thus places renewed emphasis on police-youth partnership, responsible use of digital platforms and the need for young people to become active participants in promoting peace and security.
The central message of the campaign remains clear: “My Future Is Greater Than Political and Digital Thuggery.”
