The Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, Fatai Tijani, has charged leaders of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW) and Road Transport Employers Association of Nigeria (RTEAN) to rid their ranks of thugs ahead of the next general election.
Tijani gave the charge yesterday at the Police-Youth Dialogue held to commemorate International Youth Day, at POWA Hall, Ikeja.
The Command also launched its branch of the National Campaign Against Political and Digital Thuggery, themed ‘Different Contexts, Same Aspirations.’
He said the transport unions must not allow their motor parks to be used as recruitment centres for political thugs, warning that the conduct of a few members had continued to taint the image of the larger union.
‘There is a perception in some quarters that transport unions are synonymous with violence, intimidation and thuggery,’ he said, urging union leadership to ‘police your own space’ and partner with the police to change the narrative.
The commissioner said the campaign, championed nationally by the Inspector-General of Police (IGP) Olatunji Disu, was designed to engage young Nigerians directly as the country approaches another election cycle. He warned against ballot snatching, voter intimidation and disruption of electoral processes.
He cautioned youths against being recruited as online attackers, saying persons who induced them to spread falsehood or attack political opponents often abandoned them once consequences followed.
‘Please, do not allow anyone to use your future to settle their present disagreement,’ he said, adding that political participation must not degenerate into violence.
Tijani further appealed to the media to verify information before publication and avoid sensational headlines capable of inflaming tension, saying journalism must inform ‘without inciting.’
He assured that the Lagos Police Command would provide a safe environment for lawful political activities but would act decisively against anyone who resorted to violence or intimidation, including digital thuggery.
The event, according to the Commissioner, was part of efforts to build trust between the police and youths.
In their goodwill messages, representatives of the Nigerian Army, Navy and Air Force, urged young people to be active players in the protection of national security, noting that any act of criminality they engage in, enable or cover jeopardised overall national security.
They urged the youths to get involved in positive activities that contribute to nation building, reminding them of the dangers of having a criminal record.