Category: PM News

President Bola Ahmed Tinubu on Saturday said the ruling All Progressives Congress, APC, has set the country on the path of economic progress and has many achievements to trumpet as the campaign for the 2027 elections begins.

Presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, quoted Tinubu as saying this as the party announced constitution of its presidential campaign council for the 2027 election.

According to the statement, President Tinubu charged all council members to work tirelessly to deliver victory for the party in the January 2027 elections.

The President called on members of the campaign council to work for the sound defeat of all the forces, who, according to him, planned to take the country backwards

‘We have delivered on our campaign promises and set our country on a path of economic progress. We are definitely out of the dark tunnel and are now at the cusp of reaping the benefits of a prosperous economy that will benefit all Nigerians. As we march into the campaign season, we have many achievements to trumpet-let us confidently showcase our record and inspire hope in every corner of our nation. Let us soundly defeat all those forces who plan to take our country backwards,’ the President said.

According to a list published on Saturday morning by presidential spokesperson, Bayo Onanuga, former Zamfara governor, Senator Abdulaziz Yari will serve as the director-general

of the presidential campaign council while Imo governor, Hope Uzodimma will serve as the secretary.

APC National Secretary, Senator Ajibola Bashiru and presidential adviser, Hadiza Bala-Usman will serve as deputy and assistant secretaries of the council respectively.

The list also indicated that President Bola Ahmed Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima will serve as chairman and vice chairman of the Presidential Campaign Council respectively.

APC Chairman, Professor Nentawe Yilwatda will also serve as vice chairman of the campaign council.

According to the statement, Tinubu, as the chairman of the campaign Council will work with a body of advisers comprising Chief Bisi Akande, Chief Segun Osoba, Senator Rochas Okorocha, Senator Abdullahi Adamu, and Senator Florence Ita Giwa.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abass, and Governor Mai Mala Buni of Yobe State have been assigned as deputy director-generals for the campaign in the south and the north.

They will work with Senator Bamidele Opeyemi and Senator Jibril Barau in the two zones.

Also, the list indicated that Senator Adams Oshiomhole will serve as deputy director-general in charge of mobilisation, while the President’s Chief of Staff will serve as deputy director-general for administration.

James Abiodun Faleke, who played a pivotal role in the 2022/2023 campaign, has returned as deputy director-general for election planning, coordination and monitoring.

Faleke will work with zonal directors, with Senator Olushola Adeyeye in the South West, Dr Ngozi Olejeme in the South South, Senator Uche Ekwunife in the South East, Muntaqha Rabe in the North West, Ahmed Muhammed Ketso in the North Central, and Senator Sani Danladi in the North East.

Ms Stella Okotete, Engineer Abdullahi Garba Ramat and Audu Maikori will serve as secretaries of the election planning directorate.

Muiz Adeyemi Banire will lead the legal directorate as director, with Dr Liman Hassan and Babatunde Ogala as deputies. Other members are Prince Lateef Fagbemi, former governor Ibrahim Shema, Worgu Boms and Dr Kingsley Tochukwu Udeh.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris Malagi, will serve as the coordinating director for media and Strategic Communication, along with Dele Alake, Bayo Onanuga, and Lanre Issa-Onilu. The media directorate also includes Tunde Rahman, Sunday Dare, Daniel Bwala, and Felix Morka, who have been assigned as coordinating deputy directors.

Abdulaziz AbdulAziz will work with three others, Temitope Ajayi, Arabinrin Aderonke, and Frederick Nwabufor, as coordinating secretaries of the media directorate. Segun Dada will serve as Director, New Media, the same role he performed in 2022. Solomon Arowolo will serve as Secretary, New Media.

The campaign has also appointed five spokespersons, led by Dele Alake. Other spokespersons are Alwan Hassan, Ayobami Oyalowo, Kemi Asekun-Shittu and Adamu Fanda.

The President also encouraged the leaders of the various directorates to reach out to other party members who may not have been formally listed to join their crucial efforts.

Police operatives have rescued 75 travellers abducted by gunmen on Wednesday, near Folwaya Village in Birnin Gwari Local Government Area of Kaduna State.

The victims including men, women and children were travelling in commercial buses whey they were reportedly intercepted and abducted by the gunmen at about 5:30 p.m. on Wednesday August 19.

They were subsequently taken into a forest and hidden inside a cave located in a mountainous terrain by the gunmen.

However, Police began operations to rescue the abductees following timely intelligence provided by the Birnin Gwari branch of the National Union of Road Transport Workers (NURTW), the spokesperson for Kaduna Police Command, Mansir Hassan, disclosed this in a statement on Friday.

Hassan said the NURTW alerted the police after receiving information that several travellers had been abducted at Folwaya Village, near Birnin Gwari.

‘Upon receipt of the information, a crack team from the Birnin Gwari Area Command was immediately deployed to the location,’ he said.

The spokesperson revealed that the kidnappers fled and abandoned their captives in the forest on arrival of the police operatives.

‘On sighting the well-armed police operatives, the abductors fled, abandoning their captives, who were successfully rescued unharmed,’ Hassan stated.

He added that the operation demonstrated the importance of timely intelligence-sharing and rapid response in tackling kidnapping and other violent crimes.

Hassan quoted Kaduna Commissioner of Police, Rabiu Muhammad as commending the Birnin Gwari NURTW branch for providing as timely and vital information that enabled the police to respond swiftly.

He also praised the Area Commander, Birnin Gwari, and his personnel for their prompt and professional response to the distress call.

The commissioner urged residents to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious movements and activities to security agencies to enable early intervention.

‘Members of the public should remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious movements or activities to the police,’ he said.

He, however, cautioned residents against resorting to self-help, warning that such actions could escalate the security situation and expose innocent persons to danger.

‘Residents are urged not to take the law into their own hands, as such actions could lead to the loss of innocent lives,’ Muhammad added.

Troops of the Joint Task Force South East, Operation UDO KA, have raided identified strongholds of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/Eastern Security Network (ESN) elements in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State, recovering weapons and materials used for making improvised explosive devices.

The operation, conducted on Saturday, August 22, 2026, involved the military’s Maritime Component, the Department of State Services (DSS) and the Anambra Vigilante Group.

The security forces launched a coordinated dawn offensive on identified locations at Obene and Abator villages within the Ochuche and Umunankwo communities.

According to the military, the advancing troops came under fire from the IPOB/ESN elements, who subsequently abandoned their positions and fled into the surrounding terrain.

Troops returned fire and pursued the fleeing group. The military said blood stains were observed along the withdrawal route, suggesting that some of the fleeing elements sustained gunshot wounds during the encounter.

During the pursuit, troops reportedly neutralised one of the group’s members, while other fleeing members escaped with the corpse of another person the military said had been neutralised.

The operation subsequently led to the dislodgement of the group from the identified locations, preventing them from continuing to use the sites as operational bases.

A search of the abandoned strongholds resulted in the recovery of two pump-action guns, two motorcycles, materials for making improvised explosive devices and other items, according to the military.

Following the raid, troops consolidated their positions and expanded their search of the surrounding areas in an effort to track fleeing members of the group and prevent them from regrouping.

The operation forms part of the ongoing efforts by Operation UDO KA and other security agencies to disrupt the activities of armed groups and criminal networks operating in the South-East.

The military said it would continue coordinated operations aimed at denying such groups safe havens, degrading their operational capabilities and improving security for communities and law-abiding residents across the region.

Minister of the Federal Capital Territory (FCT), Nyesom Wike, has explained why he would not have accepted the role of Director-General of President Bola Tinubu’s 2027 Presidential Campaign Council, saying his priority is to secure victory in Rivers State and the Federal Capital Territory rather than pursue a campaign title.

Wike spoke on Saturday while inspecting ongoing rehabilitation and construction works on the Apo-Karshi and Kubwa-Bwari roads in Abuja.

His comments came a day after the Presidency announced the composition of the All Progressives Congress (APC) Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 general election and appointed former Zamfara State Governor and serving Senator, Abdulaziz Yari, as Director-General.

Yari has since accepted the appointment, promising to immediately commence work and lead the campaign with discipline, unity and respect for Nigerians.

However, when asked whether he would have preferred to head the campaign council, Wike dismissed the idea, citing previous campaign directors-general who, according to him, lost their states while campaigning for presidential candidates.

The former Rivers State governor recalled that in 2015, then-Minister of Transport Rotimi Amaechi served as Director-General of Muhammadu Buhari’s presidential campaign and subsequently lost Rivers State to the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

‘In 2015, the Minister of Transport was the governor of Rivers State. So, he was the DG of Muhammadu Buhari. Before you knew, I pulled the carpet off his feet. He lost. He didn’t get 25 percent,’ Wike said.

He further recalled that Amaechi again served as campaign DG in 2019 but lost his state, while former Senate President Bukola Saraki, who headed Atiku Abubakar’s campaign in the same election, also lost his home state of Kwara.

‘In 2019, he was Minister of Transport, he became the DG, and he lost his state too. Bukola Saraki was the DG of Atiku campaign in 2019. He was running around doing ‘Atikulated’.

‘I called him, ‘Why are you doing Atikulated? Go home!’ He lost his state! Lost his own seat, too!’ Wike said.

He also cited former Sokoto State Governor Aminu Tambuwal, who served as Atiku’s campaign DG in 2023 and lost Sokoto State, as well as former Plateau State Governor Simon Lalong, who headed the APC campaign and lost Plateau State in the same election.

‘In 2023, Aminu Tambuwal became DG of Atiku. He lost his state! In the same 2023, Lalong was the DG of APC, the present president. He lost his state!’ Wike said.

‘I Don’t Want to Lose My State’

Wike said he was unwilling to become another example of a campaign DG losing his political base, stressing that his attention would remain on delivering electoral victories for President Tinubu in Rivers State and the FCT.

‘I don’t want to lose my state! I will be in my state. I have two states: FCT and Rivers. What is important is that you are able to deliver those two states. So it is not about being DG,’ he said.

The FCT minister questioned the value of occupying a prominent campaign position if the individual is unable to deliver his home state.

‘If you are DG and you don’t win your state, what is the essence of the DG?’ he queried.

Why Wike Won’t Join APC Campaign Council

Wike also pointed to his political status outside the APC as another reason he could not head the party’s presidential campaign council.

‘I am not a member of APC. So the issue of their Presidential Campaign Council is out of the question,’ he said.

He, however, stressed that his decision not to join the APC campaign council would not prevent him from supporting Tinubu’s bid for a second term.

‘When we were fighting for the President to be president in 2023, we were not members of the APC Presidential Campaign Council, but we were fighting.

‘So, we had our own strategies on how the president would emerge,’ Wike said.

Wike Backs ‘Rainbow Coalition’

The minister said his support for Tinubu’s 2027 re-election would instead be pursued through the cross-party ‘Rainbow Coalition’, which brings together politicians from different political parties who support the President while retaining their respective party affiliations.

‘Mind you, when we formed the Rainbow Coalition, so many parties were coming together, working together in some states to make sure that the President wins,’ he said.

Wike also argued that political influence should ultimately be measured by electoral performance rather than campaign appointments, saying the outcome of the 2027 election would determine which politicians successfully delivered their respective states.

‘Nobody should use that as a yardstick to judge who will be the governor of any state. I think there is only one state that is clear that will produce a governor. It is my state. It is very clear.

‘The other ones, we don’t know what will happen,’ he said.

The All Progressives Congress (APC) on Saturday named former governor Abdulaziz Yari of Zamfara and Gov. Hope Uzodimma of Imo as the Director-General and Secretary of its Presidential Campaign Council for the 2027 election respectively.

This ????is contained in a statement issued by Presidential Spokesperson, Mr Bayo Onanuga, on Saturday in Abuja.

President Bola Tinubu and Vice President Kashim Shettima will serve as Chairman and Vice Chairman of the Campaign Coucil respectively.

The APC National Chairman, Prof. Nentawe Yilwatda, will also serve as Vice Chairman, while APC National Secretary, Sen. Ajibola Bashiru, and Hadiza Bala-Usman will serve as Deputy and Assistant Secretaries.

The council’s advisory body comprises Chief Bisi Akande, Chief Segun Osoba, Sen. Rochas Okorocha, Sen. Abdullahi Adamu and Sen. Florence Ita-Giwa.

Senate President Godswill Akpabio, Speaker Tajudeen Abbas and Gov. Mai Mala Buni of Yobe will serve as Deputy Directors-General for the South and North.

They will work with Sen. Opeyemi Bamidele and Sen. Jibril Barau in coordinating activities across the two regions.

Sen. Adams Oshiomhole will serve as Deputy Director-General in charge of mobilisation, while the Chief of Staff to the President, Femi Gbajabiamila will serve as Deputy Director-General for Administration.

James Faleke, who played a pivotal role in the 2022/2023 campaign, returns as Deputy Director-General for Election Planning, Coordination and Monitoring.

Faleke will work with zonal directors comprising Sen. Olushola Adeyeye, South-West; Dr Ngozi Olejeme, South-South; and Sen. Uche Ekwunife, South-East.

Others are Muntaqha Rabe, North-West; Ahmed Ketso, North-Central; and Sen. Sani Danladi, North-East.

Mrs Stella Okotete, Abdullahi Garba Ramat and Audu Maikori will serve as Secretaries of the Election Planning Directorate.

Mr Muiz Banire will head the Legal Directorate, with Dr Liman Hassan and Babatunde Ogala as deputies.

Other members of the directorate include Lateef Fagbemi, former Gov. Ibrahim Shema, Worgu Boms and Dr Kingsley Udeh.

The Minister of Information and National Orientation, Mohammed Idris, will serve as Coordinating Director for Media and Strategic Communication, working with Dele Alake, Bayo Onanuga and Lanre Issa-Onilu.

Tunde Rahman, Sunday Dare, Daniel Bwala and Felix Morka will serve as Coordinating Deputy Directors, while Abdulaziz AbdulAziz, Temitope Ajayi, Arabinrin Aderonke and Frederick Nwabufor will serve as Coordinating Secretaries.

Segun Dada will return as Director, New Media, while Solomon Arowolo will serve as Secretary, New Media.

The council also appointed five spokespersons, led by Dele Alake, with Alwan Hassan, Ayobami Oyalowo, Kemi Asekun-Shittu and Adamu Fanda as members.

According to Onanuga, Tinubu charged members of the council to work tirelessly to secure victory for the APC in the January 2027 elections.

The President also urged directorate leaders to reach out to other party members who were not formally listed but could contribute to the campaign.

‘We have delivered on our campaign promises and set our country on a path of economic progress. We are definitely out of the dark tunnel and are now at the cusp of reaping the benefits of a prosperous economy that will benefit all Nigerians.

‘As we march into the campaign season, we have many achievements to trumpet. Let us confidently showcase our record and inspire hope in every corner of our nation.

‘Let us soundly defeat all those forces who plan to take our country backwards,’ Tinubu said.

DStv and GOtv subscribers in Nigeria and other African countries have taken to social media to complain about glitches affecting the activation of their subscriptions, leaving some customers unable to access their paid services.

The complaints surfaced on Friday as football fans returned to their screens for the resumption of the 2026/2027 English Premier League season and other major leagues.

Several subscribers said they renewed their subscriptions ahead of the weekend’s fixtures but were unable to access their packages due to delayed activation and technical errors.

The development reportedly affected football fans who had specifically renewed their subscriptions to watch the return of the Premier League.

One subscriber, Emmanuel Akinsanya, told PM News that he missed the English Premier League match between Arsenal and Coventry on Friday because his DStv subscription was not activated despite payment.

The complaints also spread across social media, with subscribers demanding urgent intervention from DStv and GOtv.

An X user, Abuja Streets (@abujastreets), wrote on Friday: ‘Today that the EPL resumed, DSTV decided to move mad. Bruh! The number of people that renewed their subscriptions today just cos of the EPL are left stranded. This is utterly ridiculous.’

Another verified user, Jessycar (@jessy_decoco), said a payment made several hours earlier had not reflected on the DStv application, leaving the decoder inactive.

‘@DStvNg I made a payment over 3hours ago to renew my subscription. I have been debited but the payment is not reflecting on my dstv app and my decoder is not working. Kindly look into this ASAP,’ the user wrote.

Morgan Patrick (@morganpatrivk) also complained about a delayed activation, tagging both DStv and GOtv.

‘@GOtvNg @DStvNg what’s happening… over an hour now and my subscription is still not working. Showing error E16,’ he wrote.

The complaints were not limited to Nigeria, as subscribers in other African markets also reported difficulties accessing the platforms.

In Ghana, Solomon Adusei Peprah (@Curtis_peprah) claimed he was unable to make a payment because the DStv system appeared to be down.

‘@DStv_Ghana system is down. I can’t pay for my subscription,’ he wrote.

A Kenyan subscriber, Ken Mwirigi (@mwirigy), said his DStv package remained inactive despite making payment. He also complained that the available customer service channels were not responding.

‘@GOtvKenya_ paid my subscription, but package yet to be activated. *423# not going through, chat bot ignored, calls offline. Mwatakaje jamani? Nirudishieni pesa yangu niende nikawatch kwa club kama wanaume wengine,’ he stated.

The reported glitches came at a particularly sensitive time for the pay-TV platforms, with thousands of football fans renewing subscriptions ahead of the return of top European leagues.

The complaints have raised concerns among subscribers who paid specifically to watch live football but were unable to access their services immediately after making payment.

DStv and GOtv, operated by MultiChoice, have yet to publicly provide a detailed explanation for the reported activation delays at the time of filing this report.

PM News will continue to monitor developments and provide updates as the service provider responds to the complaints.

Gov. Alex Otti of Abia has lifted the ban on civil service recruitment, hence, immediately employing 19 outstanding graduates of the state’s TechRise Information and Communication Technology (ICT) programme.

Otti announced the decision on Friday, in Umuahia, at the graduation ceremony of the third cohort of the programme, where 850 youths completed a three-month intensive training in ICT.

He said that the recruitment was part of his administration’s strategy to retain the best talents produced by the programme, and deploy their expertise to improve public service delivery.

‘I’m hereby lifting the ban on civil service employment and directing the Head of Service to immediately and automatically recruit the 19 of you.

‘So, by the time that is done, the ban would now continue.

‘A central part of our value multiplication outlook is to retain the best hands from each cohort of the programme and have them contribute directly to improving social service delivery through the institutions of government,’ the governor said.

He directed the Head of Service to work with the Chief Information Officer and other relevant officials to identify ICT competency gaps across ministries, departments and agencies that could be filled by the qualified TechRise graduates.

Otti also directed the establishment of a special salary cadre for ICT professionals in the civil service, subject to applicable conditions.

He said that the 850 laptops used by the graduates during the training had been transferred to them, as personal property to support their continued learning and professional development.

The governor also announced a cash gift of N100,000 for each of the 850 graduates, urging them to use their skills to create businesses, innovations and employment opportunities.

‘The most encouraging development from today’s graduation ceremony is the introduction of hundreds of new job-ready professionals into our economy,’ he said.

Otti disclosed that 2,210 people had so far completed the TechRise ICT skills development programme since its commencement.

He described the latest graduation as another milestone in the state government’s efforts to prepare young people for the demands of the Fourth Industrial Revolution.

The governor challenged the graduates to convert their newly acquired skills into viable businesses and innovations.

He warned them against using their knowledge for criminal purposes.

Otti commended graduates who developed a functional drone and directed the Ministry of Science, Technology and Innovation to work with the team to explore ways of moving the innovation from concept to commercial viability.

He further disclosed plans to establish international-standard ICT examination and certification centres in Abia, enabling residents to obtain professional certifications required for career advancement without travelling outside the state.

Also speaking, Mr Uzor Nwachukwu, the Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, said that the government had equipped 2,210 youths through three cohorts of the fully funded three-month TechRise programme.

Nwachukwu described the beneficiaries as architects of the state’s digital future.

Also, the Coordinator of TechRise, Mr Chibueze Ukaegbu, said that the programme had also trained 2,500 civil servants in computer skills, with plans to increase the number to 5,000.

Ukaegbu, who is also the Chief Executive Officer of LearnFactory, said that the organisation also planned to introduce coding programmes for primary pupils and secondary school students across the state.

He listed courses taught under the TechRise programme to include Creative Arts, Cyber Security, Full Stack Development, AI Animation, Product Management, Computer Design and Manufacturing, and Enterprise Fathom.

One of the graduates, Mr Victor Onuoha, thanked the state government for empowering them through the programme.

Onuoha appealed for the extension of the programme to young people who were not accommodated in the first, second and third cohorts.

The ceremony featured the presentation of certificates to the overall best participants representing the seven courses offered under the programme.

Mr Bode Oyedele, a retired Permanent Secretary in the Lagos Civil Service, has said victory of All Progressives Congress (APC) governorship candidate, Obafemi Hamzat, in 2027 election was crucial to sustaining development in the state.

Oyedele, an APC leader said this in an interview in Lagos on Saturday while appealing to the people of the state to vote in the

‘Your vote is your bond and every vote counts; therefore, the people must come out and exercise their franchise responsibly,’ he said.

The APC chieftain urged residents to support all APC candidates, adding that the party must retain control of Lagos State to sustain its development trajectory.

‘APC must win Lagos State, and I appeal to every eligible voter to come out and vote for all the party’s candidates,’ he said.

Oyedele described Hamzat as a strong politician with the experience and competence required to lead the state.

‘Hamzat understands Lagos and its development agenda, and I am confident that he will not disappoint the people if elected as governor,’ he said.

He said Lagos, being a mega city and Nigeria’s economic hub, required experienced leadership capable of consolidating on existing achievements while opening new frontiers of development.

‘Lagos is a mega city, and Hamzat will consolidate on the legacies of previous administrations while taking the state to greater heights,’ Oyedele said.

According to him, continuity in governance remains critical to achieving sustainable development, particularly in infrastructure, education, transportation, healthcare and human capital development.

‘With continuity and purposeful leadership, Lagos State will witness tremendous development under Hamzat if he is elected,’ he said.

Oyedele also urged residents to support President Bola Tinubu for a second term.

He described Tinubu as a transformer, reformer, game changer, whose administration had embarked on reforms aimed at repositioning the Nigerian economy.

‘President Tinubu is a transformer, a reformer and a game changer, and Nigerians should support him for a second term,’ he said.

He said that the president’s second term would provide an opportunity to consolidate ongoing reforms and complete programmes aimed at strengthening the nation’s economy.

‘A second term for President Tinubu will provide the opportunity to finish the unfinished work and make the Nigerian economy more favourable for citizens and businesses,’ he said.

The APC leader expressed optimism that the current economic challenges would gradually ease as government reforms continued to produce results, urging Nigerians to remain patient and supportive of the administration.

‘Life will become more bearable as the reforms mature, and Nigerians should continue to support policies that will create a stronger and more sustainable economy,’ he said.

Oyedele called on APC supporters and residents across Lagos to participate actively in the electoral process.

He added that the future of governance and development was dependent on the choices made at the polls.

‘Our people must not stay at home on election day; they must come out peacefully and vote for candidates they believe can deliver good governance,’ he said.

Suspected terrorists abducted yet-to-be ascertained number of worshipers from a Mosque in Dekara District in Borgu Local Government Area of Niger State during Jumaat prayer on Friday, the police have confirmed.

The Spokesperson for Niger Police Command, SP Wasiu Abiodun confirmed the abduction of the worshippers on Saturday.

According to him, the incident happened at about 2 p.m. on Friday, Aug. 21, when the victims were observing Jumaat prayer.

He said the exact number of those kidnapped was yet to be ascertained.

Abiodun said the terrorists first attacked Gidan-Zana and Kpenya villages before moving to the Mosque, where unspecified number of worshipers were kidnapped.

He however said no life was lost in the incident.

The Niger Police spokesperson added that joint security operatives had been deployed to the area for assessment and rescue operations.

‘On 21/8/2026 at about 4 p.m., report received indicated that on same date at about 2 p.m., suspected terrorists invaded Gidan-Zana, Kpenya village via Dekara District Borgu, and Kpenya Mosque and abducted unspecified number of persons during prayers, while others escaped into the nearby forest.

‘However, the developing report indicated that no life was lost, while joint security detachment had been deployed to the area for assessment and rescue operations.

‘Further development will be made public’, he said.

ýThe Osun State Police Command has launched a campaign aimed at discouraging young Nigerians from engaging in political violence, electoral thuggery, digital manipulation and other forms of destructive online activities.

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ýThe campaign tagged ‘My Future is Greater Than Political and Digital Thuggery,’ was unveiled on Saturday, August 22, 2026, during a stakeholders’ engagement organised by the Command to commemorate the International Youth Day at the Officers’ Mess, Oke-Fia, Osogbo.

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ýSpeaking at the event, the Osun State Commissioner of Police, represented by the Area Commander, Police Headquarters, Osogbo said the Inspector-General of Police had approved the nationwide commemoration of the Nigeria Police International Youth Day 2026 under the National Youth Leadership and Security Initiative.

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ýHe said this year’s observance was aligned with the United Nations theme, ‘Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,’ stressing that despite differences in background and experiences, Nigerian youths shared the aspiration for a country where they could ‘rise, thrive and lead with dignity.’

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ýThe Commissioner said the new campaign was designed to send a strong message to young Nigerians that their future should not be sacrificed for political violence or the manipulation of digital platforms.

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ý’We will no longer allow political violence, electoral thuggery, digital manipulation, or the exploitation of our youth to steal your tomorrow,’ he said.

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ýHe identified five key pillars of the National Youth Leadership and Security Initiative as leadership, security, innovation and enterprise, responsible citizenship, and digital responsibility.

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ýAccording to him, the pillars are intended to provide practical tools for young people to reject destructive behaviours, whether in the form of physical violence during elections or online activities such as hate speech, digital attacks and manipulation.

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ýThe Commissioner urged young Nigerians to recognise that their future was more valuable than any temporary financial inducement to participate in political violence.

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ý’Your future is greater than any temporary payment for political violence. Your future is greater than any keyboard used to spread lies or destroy reputations,’ he said.

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ýHe also warned against allowing political actors and other individuals to exploit the energy and passion of young people for selfish purposes.

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ýThe Commissioner assured the youths that the Nigeria Police Force was committed not only to enforcing the law but also to partnering with young Nigerians and investing in the development of responsible future leaders.

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ýHe urged participants at the stakeholders’ engagement to embrace the five pillars of the initiative and demonstrate their commitment through their actions.

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ý’Declare it with conviction and prove it with your actions: ‘My future is greater than political and digital thuggery,” he charged.

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ýHe expressed optimism that the initiative would contribute to building a peaceful, prosperous and secure Nigeria, saying the country’s youths remained critical to achieving that goal.

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ýThe Commissioner concluded by calling for collective action among the police, stakeholders and young Nigerians to build a better Nigeria based on their ‘common aspirations.’

In his remarks at the event, the Area Commander Temitope emphasised education for the youth. According to him, the Nigerian youths need only three things to liberate themselves from manipulation by politicians for violent activities. These three ingredients he said are: education, education and education.