The Benue State Police Command has commemorated the 2026 National Youth Day with a stakeholders’ youth dialogue aimed at strengthening collaboration between the police and young people in preventing crime and promoting peace across the state.
The dialogue, which brought together representatives of student unions, youth associations and other youth-focused organisations, provided a platform for discussions on issues affecting the safety, wellbeing and participation of young people in community development.
Discussions focused on the need to discourage electoral thuggery, cultism, cyberbullying, drug and substance abuse, violence and other forms of criminality that could expose young people to danger or undermine peace and security in the state.
Participants also explored practical ways of deepening cooperation between the police and youth organizations to prevent crime, promote responsible citizenship and strengthen peaceful coexistence in their communities.
The Commissioner of Police, Benue State Command, CP Cletus Nwadiogbu, urged young people to see themselves as partners in maintaining peace and security, advising them to reject violence and criminal associations and use digital platforms responsibly.
Nwadiogbu also encouraged the youths to contribute positively to the development of their communities and the state by channeling their energy and talents into productive and lawful activities.
As part of the activities, the Command officially kick-started the Office of the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) in Benue State.
A statement signed by the Police Public Relations Officer, (PPRO, DSP Peter Aondongu, said the POCACOV office is expected to serve as a platform for sustaining and expanding police advocacy and sensitization programmes, particularly through continuous engagement with schools, student unions, youth organisations and other relevant stakeholders.
The Command said the initiative would enable it to take messages of peace, responsible citizenship and crime prevention directly to young people, while encouraging them to reject cultism and other social vices.
The police appreciated youth leaders, student representatives and other stakeholders who participated in the dialogue, noting that their contributions would help strengthen efforts to build safer and more peaceful communities across Benue.
The Commissioner reaffirmed commitment to sustained engagement and partnerships with young people as part of efforts to prevent crime and promote peace in the state.
(The Sun)