By Isaac Mission
The Enugu State Commissioner of Police, Mamman Giwa, has called on young people in the state to remain focused on their education and careers while avoiding activities that could expose them to criminal prosecution.
Giwa made the call during an engagement with legal interns from Obra Legal Law Practice, Enugu, where he discussed policing, citizens’ rights and the legal responsibilities of police officers.
The commissioner urged youths to uphold discipline, respect the law and pursue their ambitions without allowing themselves to be drawn into cultism, violence, or other social and economic crimes.
He also highlighted the importance of proactive policing and effective crime prevention, explaining how patrol operations and stop-and-search exercises are used by the police to identify and deter criminal activity.
Giwa further addressed questions surrounding police powers, particularly the use of firearms and searches. He referenced provisions of the Constitution, the Nigeria Police Act 2020, as amended, and Force Order 237 as part of the legal framework guiding police operations.
On the issue of electronic devices, the commissioner clarified that police officers are not authorised to routinely search members of the public’s phones during stop-and-search operations. Such a search, he explained, would only be permissible where a phone has lawfully become relevant to an investigation.
He encouraged members of the public to report instances of police misconduct or unprofessional behaviour, assuring that officers found to have violated established rules would face appropriate disciplinary measures.
Speaking in connection with the 2026 International Youth Day activities, Giwa congratulated young people in Enugu State and encouraged them to remain committed to their goals and contribute positively to society.
The commissioner also urged eligible young Nigerians to obtain their Permanent Voter Cards and participate peacefully in the 2027 general elections.
He warned youths against allowing themselves to be recruited as political thugs or used to perpetrate electoral violence and malpractice, stressing that anyone involved in such offences would be subject to the law.
As part of efforts to strengthen relations between young people and the police, Giwa announced an upcoming Police-Youth Dialogue and the launch of the Nigeria Police Force National Campaign Against Political and Digital Thuggery.
The event, scheduled for August 22 in Enugu, will form part of activities marking International Youth Day and the Nigeria Police Force National Youth Leadership and Security Initiative. According to the commissioner, the programme is intended to encourage young people to support peaceful, credible and violence-free elections in 2027.
The legal interns, led by Daniel Aloh, Senior Associate at Obra Legal Law Practice, expressed appreciation to the police command for the engagement.
Aloh commended the command's efforts toward maintaining security in the state and said the interns would put the knowledge gained from the interaction to use while supporting lawful and accountable policing.