The Katsina State Police Command has declared a zero-tolerance stance against electoral violence, cybercrime, and all forms of criminality, warning that anyone sponsoring or recruiting youths for political violence will be identified, investigated, arrested, and prosecuted regardless of political status or affiliation.
The Commissioner of Police, CP Aliyu Fage, made the declaration on Thursday during the 2026 International Youth Day celebration held at the Katsina State Police Command Headquarters in Katsina with the theme, “Different Contexts: Common Aspirations.”
Represented by the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Finance and Administration, DCP Aminu Gusau, the Police Commissioner said the Command’s cybercrime units and intelligence operatives are actively monitoring digital platforms to curb online hate speech, electoral misinformation, cyber-harassment, and other forms of digital subversion.
He stressed that perpetrators of online incitement and cyber-related offences would face immediate arrest and prosecution under the Cybercrimes Prohibition Act and other relevant laws.
CP Fage urged youths not to allow themselves to be used as tools for political violence, insisting that those who recruit young people for thuggery often shield their own children from such dangerous activities.
“Political thuggery is not employment; it is structured self-sabotage. Do not trade your future for temporary political patronage,” he warned.
As part of activities marking the celebration, the Command launched a campaign tagged “My Future Is Greater Than Political Thuggery,” aimed at discouraging electoral violence, youth exploitation, digital manipulation, and cyber-vandalism ahead of the forthcoming general elections.
The Police Commissioner also cautioned against what he described as digital thuggery, noting that keyboard violence, coordinated online attacks, hate speech, blackmail, and the deliberate spread of false information pose serious threats to democracy, peace, and national security.
He advised young people to verify information before sharing it online and to deploy technology for innovation, entrepreneurship, and national development rather than conflict.
According to him, peaceful elections remain critical to achieving the aspirations of Nigerian youths, including job creation, quality education, technological advancement, security, and improved infrastructure.
To strengthen collaboration with young people, the Command also unveiled a Police-Youth Dialogue Forum, designed to promote direct engagement between police leadership and youths on issues of security, crime prevention, public trust, responsible citizenship, and community policing.
The event attracted key stakeholders, including the Katsina State Commissioner for Youth and Sports, Hon. Surajo Yazid Abukur; the State Chairperson of the Police Officers’ Wives Association (POWA), Hajiya Farida Aliyu; and a representative of the Council of Ulama, Malam Lawal Kuraye, among other participants.
*Media Report