Bauchi police launch major campaign to shield youth from political and digital thuggery

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By Christopher Ameh, Bauchi

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The Bauchi State Police Command has officially launched a major security and youth inclusion campaign to combat the rising wave of political and digital thuggery among young people in the state.

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The initiative was unveiled during a one-day dialogue held at the Police Officers’ Mess on Jos Road to mark the 26th edition of International Youth Day 2026. Organised in partnership with the National Youth Leadership and Security Initiative, the campaign runs under the theme: “My Future is Greater than Political and Digital Thuggery.”A Strategic Alliance for Peace.

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The high-level event drew a diverse crowd of stakeholders, including members of the State Executive Council, representatives of the Emir of Bauchi, traditional rulers, and the Police Officers Wives Association (POWA). Civil society organisations, the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC), academics, youth leaders, media practitioners, and the Joint Association of Persons with Disabilities were also in attendance to build a unified front for sustainable peace.

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Opening the ceremony, the Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, CP Sani-Omolori Aliyu, emphasized that the command is heavily prioritizing community policing and youth inclusion to prevent crime.

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He challenged the youth in attendance to reject the temptations of political manipulation and online thuggery, urging them instead to act as ambassadors for national development.

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The campaign features a strategic hand-off to the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) for grassroots execution. It also included an enlightenment drama and a keynote address by ACP Muhammad Musa Ahmadu, alongside goodwill messages from the Bauchi State Chief Security Adviser, the INEC Resident Electoral Commissioner, and the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN).

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A major highlight of the event was an open, moderated dialogue between police leadership and young participants.

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The interactive session featured expert presentations on critical contemporary issues:Responsible Citizenship: Led by Prof. Bala Sulaiman Dalhat of Abubakar Tafawa Balewa University (ATBU). Security & Crime Prevention: Presented by DSP Muhammad A. Manga of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID). Building Public Trust: Detailed by Prof. Musa Adamu Wunti of Sa’adu Zungur University.Legal Risks of Thuggery: Outlined by the Acting State Legal Officer, DSP Barr. Kawu I. Mu’azu.

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The command distributed copies of a book titled ‘ESTEEMED YOUTH’, which was personally donated to local youth groups by the Inspector General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu.

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He expressed his gratitude to all partners and reiterated that empowering young people remains the single most effective strategy for securing the state’s future.

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