BY EBI NIEKETIEN
THE National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Delta State Council, has charged the newly deployed Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr. Aina Adesola, to intensify efforts aimed at curbing various crimes, including cultism, illicit drug activities, and rising cases of violent attacks linked to armed herdsmen across the state.
In a statement issued in Asaba, the state Chairman of the council, Comrade Milton Sagboje, while congratulating Mr. Aina on his posting, described the deployment as timely and strategic in view of the prevailing security challenges in the country and the state.
The council expressed confidence in the new police chief’s wealth of experience and professionalism, noting that while the state’s youthful population remains its greatest asset, it is increasingly threatened by cult-related violence, drug abuse, armed robbery, and recurrent herdsmen attacks in several communities.
The youth body urged the Commissioner of Police to decisively tackle these vices and other forms of criminality, while strengthening intelligence-led and community-based policing across the state.
The NYCN further called on the CP to deepen collaboration with youth leaders, traditional rulers, community stakeholders, civil society organisations, and other security agencies, stressing that sustained engagement with young people and host communities was critical to crime prevention, early warning, and the dismantling of criminal networks.
It also advocated the establishment of a forum for regular engagement between the police and youths in the state, noting that structured engagement would help build mutual trust, enhance intelligence gathering, and promote peaceful coexistence, particularly in communities affected by cultism, drug abuse, and herdsmen attacks. The NYCN commended the state police command for its swift handling of a reported human rights violation involving the council’s Principal Secretary, Comrade Tomi Woujola, by a Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in Asaba, describing the response as a clear demonstration of accountability and professionalism.
The Council pledged its readiness to partner with the police on youth sensitization programmes, anti-drug campaigns, peace advocacy, and information-sharing initiatives aimed at curbing criminality and strengthening community policing.
It also urged youths across the state to shun social vices and other criminal activities, and to cooperate with security agencies in safeguarding lives and property, in line with the MORE Agenda of Governor Sheriff Oborevwori.
