The Oyo State Police Command has called for stronger collaboration between the Police, youths and other stakeholders to promote peace, security and responsible citizenship across the state.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Olugbenga Abimbola made the call in his address during a Police-Youth engagement organised by the Oyo State Police Command to commemorate the 2026 International Youth Day.
The programme was held on Saturday at the State Command Headquarters, Eleyele, Ibadan
The programme, held under the theme “Same Aspirations, Different Contexts,” brought together youths, youth leaders, community representatives, traditional institutions, civil society organisations, media practitioners, police officers and other stakeholders.
The Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, said the engagement went beyond the celebration of young people, describing it as an opportunity to strengthen meaningful relationships between the Police and youths and to recognize young people as critical partners in maintaining peace and security.
He said the Oyo State Police Command recognised the energy, creativity and aspirations of youths and was committed to creating platforms where they could express their concerns, share experiences and contribute ideas towards addressing security challenges.
According to him, despite differences in backgrounds and circumstances, young people and other members of society share common aspirations for a peaceful environment, personal safety, opportunities and a better future.
The DCP also used the occasion to reinforce the Nigeria Police Force’s campaign against political and digital thuggery, urging youths not to allow themselves to be manipulated into violence, criminality or the spread of false information.
He particularly urged young people to make “Verify Before You Share” a guiding principle in their use of social media and other digital platforms.
“As the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the Criminal Investigation Department, I equally encourage our young people to understand the consequences of criminal conduct and to recognize that the Police remain committed to investigating crime professionally, protecting victims and ensuring that offenders are brought to justice in accordance with the law,” he said.
The DCP stressed that effective policing could not be achieved without public cooperation, information sharing, constructive engagement and mutual trust.
He, however, acknowledged that public confidence in the Police must be earned through professionalism, accountability, respect for human rights and responsive policing.
He therefore urged participants to engage actively in the discussions and identify practical ways through which the Police, youths and other stakeholders could work together to make Oyo State safer.
The youths Seek Better Police-Youth Relationship at the programme. Some of them who spoke during an interactive session, commended the Commissioner of Police, Oyo State Command, CP Olugbenga Abimbola for providing the platform for young people to express their views and concerns on security and other issues affecting them.
They called on the Police to create an enabling environment for a stronger and more cordial relationship between law enforcement officers and youths.
The youths also urged the Command to intensify advocacy and enlightenment programmes aimed at discouraging young people from engaging in violence, political thuggery, cyber abuse and other forms of criminality.
The Special Assistant to the Oyo State Governor on Youth Affairs, Hon. Victor Olojede, also commended CP Olugbenga Abimbola for the initiative, describing the engagement as an important step towards building mutual understanding between youths and the Police.
Olojede stressed the need for a strong partnership among the Police, youths and the general public, saying such collaboration would promote peaceful coexistence and security across the state.
He noted that regular engagement between security agencies and young people would help address misconceptions, build trust and encourage youths to become positive contributors to their communities.
Other speakers at the programme, including the Resident Electoral Commissioner (REC), Oyo State, Professor Adeniran Tella, and Mogaji (Dr.) Nurudeen Akinade, commended the Commissioner of Police for organizing what they described as a life-transforming engagement for youths in the state.
They called for the sustenance of similar initiatives to deepen Police-community relations, promote responsible citizenship and prevent young people from being recruited into violence and other criminal activities.
The programme ended with a renewed call for greater cooperation among the Police, youths, government, traditional institutions, civil society and other stakeholders in building a peaceful and secure Oyo State.
