Authorities of the Nigeria Police Force have urged youths to partner with the police in combating crime, criminality and misinformation.

The Force urges young Nigerians to regard the Police as partners in promoting Public safety and security.

The Assistant Inspector General of Police in charge of Zone 2, Olohundare Jimoh, made the call at a summit, titled” Youth-Police Engagement Programme Across the IBILE Divisions of Lagos”, organised by the Lagos State Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement in collaboration with the Bureau of Public Defender, in Lagos.

Jimoh described the youth as critical stakeholders in promoting peace, security and sustainable development.

He said effective youth engagement was in line with global policing standards and was essential for building trust, strengthening community cooperation and improving public safety.

According to him, young people are not only future leaders but also agents of change who have a responsibility to counter misinformation, hate speech and false narratives capable of undermining national security.

He urged youths to support law enforcement by providing credible information on criminal activities and maintaining constructive partnerships with the police in their communities.

Jimoh said policing should be anchored on respect for human rights, accountability, inclusiveness, dialogue and community partnership to encourage greater public confidence.

He commended the Lagos State Government for consistently promoting police-youth engagement through regular dialogue and sustained support for security agencies.

The AIG said the government’s investments in security infrastructure and youth development had contributed significantly to the reduction of crime in the state.

He noted that the improved relationship between the police and residents reflected the success of deliberate efforts to bridge the trust gap between law enforcement officers and young people.

Jimoh also praised Governor Babajide Sanwo-Olu for providing operational support that had strengthened policing in Lagos and neighbouring Ogun.

He said the Inspector-General of Police had directed commanders nationwide to sustain community-oriented policing by promoting youth engagement through education, mentorship, digital communication, public enlightenment and community-based initiatives.

The AIG assured participants that the police remained open to constructive criticism and would continue to encourage dialogue to improve service delivery.

He reaffirmed the commitment of the Nigeria Police Force to people-centred policing, stressing that officers were public servants dedicated to protecting lives and property.

Jimoh encouraged youths to embrace the rule of law, reject criminality and work with the police to build a safer and more secure society.

He expressed confidence that stronger collaboration between the police and other  stakeholders would further enhance security and national development.

He said the Nigeria Police Force had evolved beyond the slogan, “Police is your friend,” to becoming a genuine partner committed to protecting lives and property through community participation.

According to him, modern policing cannot succeed without public trust, active citizen participation and sustained engagement, particularly with youths who constitute a significant proportion of the population.

“We are your friends and your partners. Do not be afraid to approach us. We are here to serve you and work with you in addressing security challenges.

“Our duty is to protect lives and property, and we can only do that effectively when the people see us as partners and are willing to work with us.

“We want young people to have the confidence to approach the police, report crimes, share useful information and engage with us without fear,” he said.

The AIG said the police had deliberately adopted community policing strategies to bridge the trust gap between law enforcement officers and many young Nigerians.

He said town hall meetings, youth engagement programmes, public enlightenment campaigns and open dialogue had helped improve mutual understanding and rebuild public confidence.

Jimoh said sustained engagement would enable both the police and young people to better understand one another, dispel misconceptions and resolve issues through dialogue rather than confrontation.

He reaffirmed the police’s commitment to transparency, accountability and respect for citizens’ rights, expressing confidence that continuous engagement would encourage greater community participation in crime prevention and intelligence gathering.

The AIG urged youths to shun crime, resist negative influences and avoid being used by individuals seeking to undermine peace and public order.

He also advised them to use social media responsibly by verifying information before sharing it, warning that misinformation could fuel tension, incite violence and threaten national security.

Jimoh called on young people to remain law-abiding, support intelligence gathering by providing credible information to security agencies and contribute to building a peaceful and secure society.

He expressed optimism that stronger collaboration between the police and youths would improve security, strengthen public trust and deepen community policing across the country.

The AIG also urged young Nigerians to prepare for leadership by embracing positive values, obeying the law and contributing to the development of their communities.

He commended the Lagos State Government for promoting initiatives that foster closer interaction between security agencies and the public, particularly through youth-focused programmes.