By Emmanuel Oloniruha
Abuja – The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) in charge of Kubwa Area Council, Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Ayobami Surajudeen, has advised Nigerian youths against hate speech as the country inches toward 2019 general elections.
He gave the advice at the launch of “Campaign Against Hate Speech and Violence” during and after 2019 general elections on Tuesday in Bwari, a satellite town in the the FCT.
The campaign was launched by a Non-Governmental Organisation — `Awareness for Good Leadership, Peace Development’’.
Represented by Inspector Lucas Ephraim, Surajudeen also urged youths to be cautious in disseminating information as some could lead to violence or doubt in the electoral process in the country.
He added that “the issue of hate speech has become the order of the day. When you receive a message on social media, read, analyse critically, then think of the effect before you forward it to another person.
“Think more of the society and less of yourself. If we can do this, then our communities and elections will be better for it.”
Surajudeen also advised youths not to allow themselves to be lured into electoral violence, stressing that
hate speech or electoral violence was of no benefit to anyone or country.
“You cannot have monopoly of violence: when you initiate violence, you don’t know who it will consume. So, why do you try to initiate violence?.
“The society and our parents have invested so much in you, why will you get yourself involved in trouble and destructive acts?.
“Do not contribute to the problems of our electoral system: be part of the solutions to the challenges.”
He said Nigerian police was interest in what happened before, during and after elections and reiterated the need for youths to shun ills such as drug abuse and cultism that could destroy lives.
“My advice is that youths should shun vices, especially now that elections are approaching.”
Surajudeen said Nigerian police was collaborating with stakeholders and communities ahead of the 2019 elections to achieve peaceful polls.
The DPO advised residents to be security conscious, especially while boarding commercial vehicles and to
avoid collecting gifts from strangers or going on errands for people they do not know.
“Also, try to avoid friends that will not add value to your life,” he added. (NAN)