- AIG Olohundare Jimoh urged youths to work with the police ahead of the 2027 elections
- He warned against fake news, hate speech and election violence
- The police pledged to strengthen community policing and youth engagement
The Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Command, Onikan, Lagos, Olohundare Jimoh, has called on young Nigerians to work more closely with security agencies to strengthen community policing and promote peaceful participation in the 2027 general elections.
Eko Hot Blog gathered that Jimoh made the appeal at the Political Intelligence Summit: Youth-Police Engagement Across the IBILE Divisions, organised by the Lagos State Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement in partnership with the Bureau of the Public Defender.
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Addressing participants, the AIG described young people as vital partners in maintaining peace, enhancing security and driving national development. He stressed that effective policing depends on cooperation between security agencies, educational institutions, community groups and the youth.
According to him, trust, accountability, dialogue and inclusiveness remain essential to successful community policing.
Jimoh urged young Nigerians to reject fake news, hate speech and divisive messages capable of threatening national unity. Instead, he encouraged them to use social media responsibly to educate others, encourage civic participation and support peace-building efforts.
He also cautioned youths against allowing themselves to be used for criminal activities or election-related violence, noting that many young Nigerians are becoming more politically aware and understand the importance of peaceful democratic participation.
The AIG said ongoing engagement between the police and young people has strengthened relationships across Lagos and Ogun states, improving trust and cooperation.
“The police are no longer just your friends; we are your partners,” he said, while encouraging citizens to report security concerns and grievances through appropriate channels.
Responding to concerns about delays in criminal trials caused by the absence of investigating police officers in court, Jimoh attributed the challenge to transfers, retirements and the lengthy nature of some criminal cases.
He assured participants that the Nigeria Police Force would continue working with stakeholders in the criminal justice system to reduce delays and improve the administration of justice.
Jimoh also commended the Lagos State Government for investing in security infrastructure and creating platforms that encourage dialogue between law enforcement agencies and young people.
He revealed that future engagement programmes would include school outreach, mentorship schemes, community service initiatives and social media campaigns aimed at promoting civic responsibility and public safety.
The AIG reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force, under the leadership of Inspector-General of Police Olatunji Disu, to community-based policing and the protection of citizens’ constitutional rights.
Also speaking, the Director of the Lagos State Bureau of Public Defender, Mrs. Olubunmi Adesomoju, urged young Nigerians to understand their constitutional rights while maintaining constructive relationships with law enforcement agencies.
She explained that the summit was organised to educate youths about their legal rights and improve their understanding of government institutions responsible for protecting citizens.
Adesomoju noted that although Nigerians have the constitutional right to protest and freely express their opinions, such rights must always be exercised within the provisions of the law.
She reaffirmed the bureau’s commitment to providing legal assistance, particularly for vulnerable groups, including women, girls and young people.
According to her, the summit is part of a broader Lagos State Government initiative to strengthen police-youth engagement across the state’s five IBILE divisions. Similar programmes have already taken place in Ikeja and Lagos Island, with additional sessions planned for Epe, Badagry and Ikorodu.
Earlier, the Permanent Secretary of the Lagos State Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, Engr. Sholabomi Shasore, represented by Dr. Omotayo Babatunde, described security as a collective responsibility that requires active collaboration among government, communities and young people.
She said the summit was designed to deepen trust between youths and security agencies, improve political intelligence and encourage community-led responses to security challenges.
Also at the event, the Director of Public Prosecutions at the Lagos State Ministry of Justice, Adebayo Haroun, reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to working closely with the police to ensure effective investigation and prosecution of criminal cases.
Haroun stressed that prosecution decisions are based strictly on available evidence and legal advice, while urging investigating police officers to honour court appearances, properly document investigations and maintain accurate witness records to prevent unnecessary delays in criminal trials.
Other presentations at the summit focused on global policing standards, best practices in law enforcement and the constitutional rights of citizens during peaceful protests.
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