The Assistant Inspector-General of Police (AIG) in charge of Zone 2 Command, Mr. Olohundare Jimoh, has called on Nigerian youths to become active partners in the fight against crime, misinformation and other threats to national security, describing them as indispensable stakeholders in building a peaceful, secure and prosperous society.
Jimoh made the call on Tuesday at the Political Intellectual Summit: Youth-Police Engagement Programme, organised by the Lagos State Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement in collaboration with the Bureau of Public Defender (BPD), at the Zone 2 Police Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos.
The police chief said effective engagement with young people is central to modern policing and consistent with global best practices that emphasise trust-building, community participation and shared responsibility in maintaining law and order.
According to him, youths are not merely the leaders of tomorrow but influential change-makers whose actions and voices can either strengthen or undermine national security.
He urged them to reject the spread of misinformation, hate speech and fake news, warning that false narratives have the capacity to fuel tension, incite violence and erode public confidence in state institutions.
Jimoh stressed that the police cannot effectively tackle crime without the active support of citizens, particularly young people, whom he encouraged to provide timely and credible intelligence capable of preventing criminal activities and enhancing public safety.
He said the Nigeria Police Force has evolved beyond the traditional slogan of “Police is your friend” into a more collaborative institution committed to building genuine partnerships with communities in protecting lives and property.
“Modern policing thrives on trust, partnership and public participation. We are your friends and partners. Do not be afraid to approach us because we are here to serve you and work together in addressing security challenges.
“Our constitutional responsibility is to protect lives and property, but we can only discharge that responsibility effectively when citizens trust us enough to share useful information and see themselves as partners in the security process.
“We want young people to have the confidence to report crimes, volunteer credible information and engage the police without fear or intimidation,” he said.
The AIG noted that policing in a democratic society must be rooted in respect for human rights, accountability, transparency, dialogue and inclusiveness, adding that such values are essential to strengthening public confidence in law enforcement.
He commended the Lagos State Government for sustaining initiatives that promote dialogue between the police and young people, describing the Youth-Police Engagement Programme as a strategic platform for fostering mutual understanding and strengthening community policing.
Jimoh also applauded Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for the state government’s consistent investment in security infrastructure, logistics and operational support, which he said has significantly enhanced policing operations in Lagos and neighbouring Ogun State.
He disclosed that the Inspector-General of Police, Mr. Olatunji Disu, has directed police commands across the country to intensify community-oriented policing through increased youth engagement, mentorship programmes, public enlightenment campaigns, digital communication and other people-centred initiatives.
According to him, the directive reflects the leadership’s commitment to repositioning the Nigeria Police Force as a more accessible, accountable and community-focused institution.
The AIG assured participants that the police remain receptive to constructive criticism, innovative ideas and meaningful dialogue aimed at improving service delivery and strengthening public trust.
He urged Nigerian youths to remain law-abiding, shun all forms of criminality and continue working with the police, the media, civil society organisations and other stakeholders to build safer communities.
Jimoh expressed optimism that stronger collaboration between law enforcement agencies and the public would not only reduce crime but also promote national cohesion, socio-economic development and sustainable peace.
He maintained that with sustained cooperation, mutual trust and shared responsibility, Nigeria can build a security architecture that guarantees the safety of citizens while creating an enabling environment for growth and development.
