By Muhammad Amaan
The Kano State Police Command has held a youth dialogue ahead of the 2027 general elections, with a call on youths to reject thuggery, hate speech and fake news.
The dialogue, themed “Youth, Peace and Credible 2027 Elections,” was organized on Monday at the Police Officers’ Mess, Bompai, in partnership with the Youth Society for the Prevention of Infectious Diseases and Social Vices (YOSPIS) and the Aminu Magashi Garba Foundation (AMGF).
A statement by the Commnad’s Police Public Relations Officer, CSP Abdullahi Haruna Kiyawa, said the dialogue brought together students, women groups, young lawyers, police officers, footballers, social media influencers, journalists and civil society organisations.
In his keynote address, the Commissioner of Police, CP Ibrahim Adamu Bakori, said Kano remains central to Nigeria’s peace and stability given its population and political influence.
He noted that youths constitute over 60% of the voting population and are critical to the electoral process, but have often been misused for political violence.
“Such must not repeat in 2027, hence the need for early engagement,” CP Bakori said.
The Commissioner said the Command, through the Inter-Agency Consultative Committee on Election Security (ICCES), has commenced mapping of flashpoints across the 44 LGAs, capacity building for personnel and non-kinetic engagements ahead of the polls.
He said the initiative aligns with the policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Rilwan Disu, which prioritises community partnership, intelligence-led policing and zero tolerance for thuggery, incitement and fake news.
He warned that the police and other members of the ICCES would deal decisively with anyone who attempts to breach peace before, during and after the elections.
In her remarks, Executive Director of YOSPIS, Zainab Nasir Ahmad, urged youths not to allow themselves to be used for violence and to use digital platforms to promote peace.
“No political ambition is worth the blood of any young Nigerian. 2027 should be a contest of ideas, not a battle of violence,” she said.
Also speaking, the Special Adviser on Community Policing to the Kano State Government, Ambassador Maimuna Umar Sherif, and representatives of the Department of State Services and the Council of Ulama, commended the initiative and urged youths to embrace community policing and reject drug abuse.
In his closing remarks, Chairman of AMGF, Dr Aminu Magashi Garba, reiterated the Foundation’s commitment to supporting peaceful elections.
CSP Kiyawa, said the dialogue produced practical suggestions from youth groups that will serve as a working document for the Command and ICCES in ensuring credible polls.
