Under the theme “Partners, Not Profiles: Advancing Inclusive Security and Human Rights,” We the People convened a two-day Police-Youth strategic roundtable on the 24th and 26th of February, 2026, in Uyo (Akwa Ibom State) and Akpabuyo (Cross River State), respectively.
The event, a core component of the #IncludeNaija project co-sponsored by the European Union, is an initiative dedicated to institutionalizing human rights and strengthening community-police synergy. Its primary objectives are to bolster regional security and foster youth-inclusive governance.
Across the country, “youth” is too often treated as a “suspicious category.” Whether due to the possession of a laptop, a specific hairstyle or a choice of attire, young people continue to endure profiling that erodes the trust essential for effective community policing. This systemic bias often results in the marginalization of youth, rendering them seemingly “unfit” to lead or participate meaningfully in the nation’s democratic processes. This roundtable sought to dismantle these prejudices by emphasizing respect for human rights, recognizing tech-driven lifestyles, and establishing direct communication channels to ensure grievances are addressed with both urgency and transparency.
The sessions, held at the EMJJM Hotel in Uyo and Pearl Suites in Calabar, were attended by the Divisional Police Officers (DPOs) of the Uyo, Akpabuyo, and Bakassi zones, alongside other dedicated officers and youth leaders from the respective regions.
Augustine Vicker Uka, Project Officer at We the People, welcomed participants by noting that “professional policing requires a human face and a gender-sensitive lens, the Police therefore should embrace the project as an opportunity to regain the trust of the community, which is the greatest tool any officer can carry.”
He further urged the youth to transition from passive bystanders to active stakeholders. “The siren should no longer be an icon of fear, suppression, and intimidation, for the Police are not opponents, but partners in progress,” he stated.
According to Mr. McDon, “Police-Youth relationship is strengthened when the appropriate channel is utilized to lodge complaints against persons or authorities, including police officers. The collaboration we seek is possible when the police are frequently trained, well equipped and financed.” He further recommended that “police job should not be left to school dropouts, the best brains should apply.” He encouraged youth leaders to remain steadfast in their resolve for a better Nigeria and urged complainants to follow through with their cases rather than “ghosting” the authorities after filing a report.
Mr. Ubong Henry and Mr. Joseph Abraham, along with other youth leaders in Uyo, decried the warrantless search of mobile devices, citing it as a primary catalyst for abuse. They also requested that the police develop more sophisticated tactics to address criminals who disguise themselves as scavengers to disrupt communal peace.
In Calabar, Mr. Effiom Ene Effiom, the youth leader of the Ikot-Asuquo community, highlighted the prevalence of profiling based on dress codes in Akpabuyo. He shared a harrowing personal account of a near-death experience and incarceration at the hands of abusive officers, noting that the police often fail to protect the anonymity and safety of informants.
Ms. Peace Effiom, Prince Effiom, and other youth leaders from Bakassi and Akpabuyo recounted personal experiences of privacy invasions, breaches of confidentiality, extortion, and entrapment. They identified these issues as the primary obstacles bedeviling the relationship between the community and the police.
Inspector Egbe Ogbaji maintained that the Force is making concerted efforts to improve community relations, despite internal sabotage. “I am one of the oldest Police men in Bakassi. Although there are bad eggs, but it should not be attributed to all Police Officers, there are honest men and women amonmg us, and we are doing our best,” he remarked.
Mr. Jacob John Jacob, the DPO of Akpabuyo, while promising to enhance confidentiality and trust, admonished the youth to exercise wisdom and intellectual maturity when dealing with “bad eggs” within the Force. “Youth leaders should expect problems because no leader is loved by his people,” he observed.
Police representatives collectively advocated for closer collaboration and a more rigid adherence to the rule of law.
The roundtable concluded with the Police pledging to provide further training and sensitization to their ranks, while the youth committed to utilizing official complaint channels rather than resorting to self-help. Participants expressed their profound gratitude to the European Union for its sponsorship and to We the People for organizing the event. Grace Appolos and JohnJoseph Atsu, Program Manager and Program Officer respectively, brought the proceedings to a close with their final remarks in Uyo and Calabar.
