By Ikugbadi Oluwasegun
The Lagos State Government has reaffirmed its commitment to fostering stronger relationships between young people and law enforcement agencies through sustained dialogue, civic engagement, and rights education, describing youths as critical stakeholders in building safer and more secure communities.
This commitment was reiterated at the Political Intelligence Summit on Youth-Police Engagement, organised through a collaboration between the Lagos State Office of Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement (OPL&CE) and the Lagos State Bureau of the Public Defender (BPD), held at the Nigeria Police Zone 2 Headquarters, Onikan, Lagos.
The Summit, themed “Bridging the Gap: Youth-Police Engagement for Community Safety and Social Reform,” brought together youth groups, security agencies, legal practitioners, civil society organisations, and government officials to discuss strategies for strengthening trust, promoting human rights, and improving police-community relations.
Delivering the keynote address, Dr. Afolabi Abiodun Tajudeen, Special Adviser to the Governor on Political, Legislative and Civic Engagement, represented by Dr. Babatunde Omotayo, Director, Citizens Engagement Department, said the Lagos State Government, under the leadership of Governor Babajide Olusola Sanwo-Olu, remains committed to promoting inclusive governance, civic participation, and community-based security initiatives. adding that security can no longer be viewed solely as the responsibility of law enforcement agencies but as a collective responsibility requiring active collaboration among government institutions, communities, and particularly young people.
He noted that the summit was designed to create a platform for constructive dialogue, strengthen relationships between youths and law enforcement agencies, enhance political intelligence, and encourage community-driven solutions to security challenges. He added that the youths remain one of the greatest assets of our society. Their energy, creativity, and innovative capacity position them as critical partners in building safer and more resilient communities.
In his remarks, the Assistant Inspector-General of Police in charge of Zone 2 Command, AIG Olorundare Moshood Jimoh, emphasised the importance of building sustainable relationships between the police and young people, stressing that effective policing depends on mutual trust, understanding, and partnership.
He described youths as indispensable partners in promoting peace, security, and sustainable development, noting that they play critical roles in combating misinformation, preventing crime, and strengthening community resilience, adding that the youth are not just leaders of tomorrow; leadership starts today. They are strategic partners in promoting peace, security, and national development.
The AIG stated that the Nigerian Police Force remains committed to internationally accepted policing standards anchored on respect for human rights, accountability, inclusiveness, dialogue, and community partnerships, urging young people to actively support security efforts by providing credible information, rejecting misinformation, and engaging constructively with law enforcement agencies. He disclosed that the relationship between the police and youths in Lagos has significantly improved through sustained engagement programmes initiated by the Lagos State Government, particularly the annual police-youth dialogue platforms.
