Police Warn Youths Against Thuggery, Cybercrime in Bauchi

The Bauchi State Commissioner of Police, Sani-Omolori Aliyu, has warned youths against allowing politicians and criminal elements to exploit them for political thuggery and cybercrime.

Aliyu gave the warning on Thursday during an event organised by the Bauchi State Police Command to commemorate the 2026 International Youth Day.

The event featured a campaign against political and digital thuggery as well as a police-youth dialogue on leadership, security and the future of young people.

The campaign, tagged “My Future Is Greater Than Political Thuggery,” seeks to educate youths on the dangers of political violence and digital crimes while encouraging them to become active partners in community safety and national development.

Aliyu said some individuals were exploiting the vulnerabilities of young people by using them as tools for violence and societal disruption.

He urged youths not to allow politicians to use them for electoral violence, warning that the consequences could destroy their future.

The commissioner said the campaign would be sustained through the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices and extended to communities across Bauchi State.

He called for the support of parents, teachers, religious leaders, traditional rulers and community stakeholders in protecting young people from criminal exploitation.

Also speaking, the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Muhammad Ahmadu, identified economic hardship, desperation for quick money, peer pressure, lack of positive role models and low self-esteem as factors that could make youths vulnerable to political and criminal exploitation.

Ahmadu specifically warned youths against accepting money from politicians to engage in electoral violence, noting that sponsors often abandon perpetrators after their political objectives have been achieved.

He also cautioned against drug abuse and cybercrime, including identity theft, hacking and online fraud, stressing that such activities could have serious legal and long-term consequences.

He urged youths to pursue education, skills acquisition, legitimate businesses and other productive ventures rather than seeking quick wealth through crime.

The police further advised young people to protect their digital identities, verify information before sharing it online and report suspicious activities through appropriate channels.