Stakeholders in Anambra State have endorsed the Nigeria Police Force’s Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV).
They are pledging greater collaboration to combat cultism, drug abuse, cybercrime and other social vices through preventive policing and youth engagement.
The endorsement was made during a stakeholders’ interactive session organised by the Inspector-General of Police’s POCACOV team at the Prof. Dora Akunyili Women Development Centre in Awka, the state capital.
The event brought together government officials, traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth groups, security agencies, educational institutions, civil society organisations, women’s groups and community leaders to discuss sustainable strategies for crime prevention through partnership, advocacy and value reorientation.
Addressing participants, the National Coordinator of POCACOV, Superintendent of Police (SP) Orvenonne Ikwen, reaffirmed the Inspector-General of Police’s commitment to preventive policing, describing it as a proactive approach that addresses the root causes of crime through advocacy, mentorship, community collaboration and positive value orientation.
She said the initiative is part of a nationwide effort to shift policing from reactive law enforcement to intelligence-led, community-based crime prevention.
According to Ikwen, POCACOV seeks to discourage young people from engaging in criminal activities by strengthening partnerships among families, schools, religious institutions, the media and law enforcement agencies.
She announced the establishment of POCACOV clubs in primary, secondary and tertiary institutions across Anambra State, as well as among out-of-school youths, to promote responsible citizenship, discourage criminal behaviour and foster leadership built on sound values.
Responding to questions from participants, Ikwen said ongoing reforms introduced by the Inspector-General of Police are aimed at improving professionalism within the Nigeria Police Force, strengthening accountability and rebuilding public confidence.
She stated that disciplinary measures are being enforced against erring officers, including those involved in illegal roadblocks, while the Police Complaints Response Unit remains available through its digital platforms to receive complaints from members of the public.
Representing the Anambra State Police Command, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Ikenga Tochukwu, said effective security requires the active participation of citizens, stressing that policing remains a shared responsibility between security agencies and communities.
He reaffirmed the command’s commitment to strengthening partnerships that promote peace, public safety and sustainable development across the state.
Also speaking, the President of the United Business and Farmers Association of Nigeria, Mrs Nkiru Nwagbo, called on mothers to take a more active role in preventing youth involvement in crime by providing moral guidance and serving as positive role models.
“Our children are influenced by what they see in us,” she said. “Parents must pay close attention to their emotional development and moral upbringing, correcting wrongdoing rather than defending unacceptable behaviour.”
In his presentation, the President-General of the Anambra State Town Unions Council (ASTUC) Youth Wing, Mr Ken Okoli, described POCACOV as a police-initiated but community-owned platform that offers young people a positive sense of belonging as an alternative to cult groups.
He urged parents, schools, religious institutions and community leaders to work together in instilling values that discourage criminality and promote responsible citizenship.
Other participants called on the police to intensify efforts against criminal elements while ensuring the protection of the identities of citizens who provide useful information to security agencies.
They also emphasised the need for stronger family involvement in raising responsible children, noting that mothers often bear the emotional burden when young people become involved in crime.
The programme featured goodwill messages from the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS), the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, women’s organisations and other stakeholders. Participants also engaged in discussions on strengthening community resilience and enhancing collaboration between citizens and law enforcement agencies.
The highlight of the event was the presentation of a symbolic gift to the Inspector-General of Police by the ASTUC Youth Wing, led by Mr Ken Okoli, as a demonstration of support for the POCACOV initiative.
The Anambra State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to supporting the campaign in line with the Inspector-General of Police’s vision of building a safer and more secure society through preventive policing and strong community partnerships.
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