The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai, psc, mnips, on Tuesday 25 August, 2026, led a large group of the command ‘s Peace Walk through Ikeja to commemorate the 2026 International Youth Day, themed “ Different Contexts, Common Aspirations.”
It was disclosed that the walk also served as the official launch of the Campaign Against “Political and Digital Thuggery” in Lagos State.
In a statement signed by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Abimbola Adebisi, anipr, mipra, on Wednesday 26 August, 2026, it was revealed that the event brought together hundreds of youths and stakeholders from across the state in a unified call for peace, responsible citizenship, and constructive youth participation in nation-building.
According to the Command, the initiative aligns with the vision and directive of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, psc(+), NPM, which prioritizes strengthening police-community partnerships.
The IGP’s directive specifically focuses on engaging young people as key partners in promoting peace, security, and national development, rather than seeing them only through the lens of crime and disorder.
CP Fatai said Lagos, as Nigeria’s commercial nerve center and youth hub, must lead in setting the tone for peaceful political engagement, especially with elections approaching.
The Peace Walk drew strategic collaborators from government, civil society, and youth bodies. Participants included representatives of:
- National Youth Council of Nigeria, (NYCN)
- National Youth Service Corps, (NYSC) National Association of Nigerian Students, (NANS)
- Police Community Relations Committee, (PCRC)
- National Union of Road Transport Workers, (NURTW)
- Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria, (RTEAN)
- Christian Association of Nigeria Youth Wing, (CRAN)
- National Association of Online Security News Publishers, (NAOSN)
The diverse turnout was deliberate, the Command noted, to ensure the campaign message cuts across campuses, corps members, transport unions, faith-based groups, and digital media platforms. It was part of efforts to sensitise young individuals on the need to avoid political and digital thuggery, drug abuse, cultism and hooliganism.
Marching from the State Command Headquarters in Ikeja, participants carried banners and placards with messages such as “Say No to Political Thuggery,” “Be Responsible Online,” and “Youths for Peace, Not Violence.”
Peace Walk: Lagos CP Warns Against Political, Digital Thuggery
While addressing the gathering, CP Fatai defined political “thuggery” as the use of violence and intimidation to influence politics, and “digital thuggery” as the use of social media to spread hate speech, fake news, cyberbullying, and incite unrest.
He charged young people to shun political and digital thuggery, drug abuse, cultism, and hooliganism saying
“This campaign is about you. Your energy and creativity should build Lagos and Nigeria, not destroy it. We are asking you to choose peace, choose dialogue, and choose responsible citizenship both on the streets and online.”
It was further disclosed that he urged youth leaders to act as peace ambassadors in their communities and to report any attempt to recruit young people for violent or criminal purposes.
Meanwhile, the Lagos State Police Command reiterated its commitment to community policing and proactive engagement. CP Fatai directed Area Commanders and Divisional Police Officers to replicate similar sensitization programs across all 20 LGAs and 37 LCDAs in the state.
He also urged parents, schools, religious institutions, and traditional rulers to join in mentoring young people and providing positive alternatives to crime.
The event concluded with the distribution of sensitization materials and an interactive session where participants engaged police officers on issues of security, cybercrime, and youth development.
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