ANAMBRA POLICE, POCACOV RALLY STAKEHOLDERS AGAINST CULTISM, APPROVE SCHOOL CLUBS TO BOOST PREVENTIVE POLICING

By Chizoba Njaka
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‎The Anambra State Police Command, in collaboration with the Inspector-General of Police’s Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), has intensified efforts to combat cultism and other social vices through a stakeholders’ interactive session held on July 30, at the Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre, Awka.
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‎The engagement, led by the National Coordinator of POCACOV, SP Orvenonne Ikwen, formed part of ongoing initiatives aimed at strengthening preventive policing through strategic partnerships, youth engagement, and active community participation.
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‎The event brought together government officials, traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups, security agencies, educational institutions, civil society organisations, community leaders, and other key stakeholders to deliberate on sustainable strategies for tackling cultism, substance abuse, cybercrime, and other emerging social vices.
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‎Addressing participants, SP Ikwen reaffirmed the Inspector-General of Police’s commitment to preventive policing as a proactive approach to crime reduction by addressing its root causes through advocacy, mentorship, value reorientation, and community collaboration. She also approved the establishment of POCACOV Clubs in schools across Anambra State to promote positive values and discourage youths from engaging in criminal activities.
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‎She urged stakeholders to take ownership of the campaign by mentoring young people, promoting responsible citizenship, and creating opportunities that would steer them toward productive and lawful pursuits.
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‎Speaking on behalf of the Anambra State Police Command, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, welcomed participants and stressed that effective security is a collective responsibility that requires the active involvement of every segment of society.
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‎He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to strengthening collaboration with communities in promoting peace, safety, and sustainable development across the state.
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‎The interactive session featured goodwill messages from representatives of the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, women leaders, and other stakeholders. Discussions focused on practical measures to prevent youth involvement in crime, build resilient communities, and deepen cooperation between the police and the public.
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‎A highlight of the event was the presentation of gifts to the Inspector-General of Police by the Anambra State Town Unions Council Youth Wing (ASTUC Youth), led by Comrade Ken Okoli, as a symbolic demonstration of support and acceptance of the POCACOV initiative in the state.
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‎The Anambra State Police Command expressed appreciation to all stakeholders who participated in the programme and reiterated its commitment to supporting the POCACOV initiative in line with the Inspector-General of Police’s vision of building a safer and more secure society through preventive policing.
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‎Chizoba Njaka is of the Ministry of Information and Value Reformation, Anambra State
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