The Abia State Police Command yesterday commemorated the 2026 International Youth Day with a walkathon in Umuahia, calling on young people to reject political and digital thuggery and other forms of criminality.

The event, held under the National Youth and Security Initiative with the theme, ‘Different Contexts, Common Aspirations,’ was organised in line with the directive of the Inspector-General of Police.

The Commissioner of Police, Abia State Command, Wilfred Olutokunbo Afolabi, led members of the command’s management team and other officers in the exercise, which was held in collaboration with the Ministry of Sports and Youth Development, the Special Adviser on Youths and various youth organisations in the state.

Participating groups included the National Youth Council of Nigeria, Niger Delta Students Union Government, National Association of Students Union, National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), National Youth Service Corps (NYSC), New Face of Igbo Youths Association and Ohanaeze Youths Movement, among others.

The walkathon commenced at 8:00 a.m. at Okpara Square, Umuahia, and proceeded to the Abia State Police Command headquarters.

The exercise was designed to promote physical fitness, strengthen police-youth relations and encourage young people to take an active role in promoting civic responsibility, community policing and security consciousness.

Speaking after the walkathon, Afolabi thanked the participants for their support and reaffirmed the command’s commitment to maintaining a positive and constructive relationship with young people in the state.

He urged youths to regard the police as partners in maintaining peace and security, stressing that the command was not against them.