A’Ibom police mark youth day with ‘One to Tell Ten’ campaign against crime

Etim Ekpimah

The Akwa Ibom State Police Command has commemorated the 2026 International Youth Day with a strong call to Nigerian youths to reject political thuggery, cultism, drug abuse, cybercrime, electoral violence, vandalism and other forms of criminality, while embracing peace, responsible citizenship and nation-building.

Speaking at the National Youth Leadership and Security Initiative held at the Command Headquarters in Uyo, Commissioner of Police, Baba Mohammed Azare, emphasised that although young Nigerians come from diverse backgrounds, they share common aspirations for education, employment, justice, equal opportunity and a secure future.

He urged youths to embrace the national campaign, “My Future Is Greater Than Political Thuggery,” stressing that no political ambition is worth the life or future of any young Nigerian. He encouraged active participation in democratic processes but warned against violence, insisting that politics must remain a contest of ideas and service rather than a battlefield.

Azare appealed to political actors and community leaders to stop exploiting youths as instruments of electoral violence. He also urged young people to protect public infrastructure, describing government facilities as collective assets, and encouraged citizens to report vandalism and suspicious activities to security agencies rather than resorting to self-help.

On digital responsibility, he reinforced the message, “Think Before You Click, Verify Before You Share,” advising youths to guard against misinformation, cyberbullying, manipulated media and misuse of artificial intelligence.

DSP Timfon John, Police Public Relations Officer, highlighted the importance of the campaign in bridging the gap between the Police and young people. She explained that the initiative was designed to empower youths as partners in security, ensuring that their voices and talents are channelled towards constructive engagement rather than crime.

The commissioner commended Governor Umo Eno for integrating youth leadership structures into the state’s security architecture, noting that youth leaders are strategically positioned to support intelligence gathering, early warning, community engagement and crime prevention.

A major highlight of the celebration was the launch of the “One to Tell Ten” Youth Engagement Programme, designed to multiply positive security messages across communities. CP Azare urged every youth reached by the initiative to share the message with at least ten others, encouraging them to reject crime, embrace responsible use of social media, respect the rule of law and see the Police as partners in building safer communities.

Declaring, “One to Tell Ten! Ten to Tell a Hundred! A Hundred to Reach Thousands!” CP Azare described youths as indispensable partners in modern policing and assured them of the Police Force’s commitment to strengthening youth relations, community policing and professional protection of citizens’ rights.

He warned that those who choose violence, cultism, kidnapping, armed robbery, cybercrime or vandalism would face the full weight of the law, regardless of status or affiliation.

Concluding, he urged young Nigerians to choose knowledge over ignorance, dialogue over violence, truth over misinformation, innovation over criminality, protection over vandalism and patriotism over division.

“Your future is greater than political thuggery. Your talent is greater than cybercrime. Your voice is stronger than misinformation. You are too valuable to become an instrument of violence,” he declared.

The command reaffirmed its commitment to working with youths, government, traditional and religious institutions, community leaders, the media and other stakeholders to build a peaceful, secure and prosperous Akwa Ibom State.