Concerns over the youth involvement in crime and rising security risks dominated discussions in Calabar, as community leaders and young people examined how volunteering and civic participation can help prevent insecurity in Cross River State.
At a security dialogue held in Calabar, participants reviewed how disengaged youths can become a security risk, while structured engagement and inclusion may serve as a pathway to peace and stability across communities.
The dialogue brought together youths, community leaders, and other stakeholders to examine the link between youth disengagement and insecurity and how volunteering can serve as a preventive tool.
Participants agreed that young people often stand at the crossroads of peace and conflict, making their involvement critical to early warning, community vigilance, and crime prevention.
Representing the State Governor, Bassey Otu, the Deputy Chief Press Secretary, Edem Darlington, said insecurity thrives when youths are excluded from governance and community life.
He noted that crimes such as kidnapping and armed robbery, which were common in Cross River State five to six years ago, have declined in the last two years, attributing the improvement to deliberate engagement and structured inclusion of young people.
Participants explained that youth volunteering does not replace security agencies, but support their work through awareness creation, early warning and responsible reporting.
The dialogue ended with a call for sustained collaboration between youths, community leaders and government institutions, as stakeholders stressed that preventing insecurity requires continuous engagement, vigilance, and shared responsibility at the grassroots level.
(Editor: Ebuwa Omo-Osagie)
