The impact of Cultism, Thuggery, Associated violence and other vices in the ongoing fight against COVID-19 Pandemic in the country cannot be overemphasized.
The Negative impact is rearing its ugly heads through so many identified factors by the IGP M.A Adamu POCACOV Resource Centre, Enugu, through various surveys conducted.
According to the National Coordinator, Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) CSP Ebere Amaraizu; “There’s need for members of the public to continue to remain law abiding by obeying all protocols and measures put in place by the Government at all levels, health professionals and Nigeria Centre for Disease Control (NCDC) aimed at containing the spread of the virus.
“However, survey conducted by the IGP MA Adamu POCACOV Resource Centre, Enugu, revealed that some youths have embraced perpetration of crime through online platforms including social media, while others have embarked on hijacking and stealing of palliative materials.
“Also in the list is the commission of some sexual and gender based violence and acts of associated violence, intimidation and molestation against those vested with the responsibility of distributing COVID-19 palliatives.”
Amaraizu also advised the members of the public to continue to be law abiding and work towards ensuring that various measures put in place to contain the spread of the COVID-19 virus assuring that; “POCACOV will not relent in its bid to actualizing a safe and secured Nation by saving the Youths from the claws of cultism, thuggery, sexual and gender based violence and other vices which revolves around goal 16- Peace, Justice and strong Institutions of the Sustainable Development Goals (SDGs).
“POCACOV has severally, through its relevant stakeholders conducted sensitization on COVID-19 and distribution of palliatives as part of its Social Responsibility function and keeping fate with its broad spectrum of stakeholders across the Nation and Diaspora. In liaison with Tenece Technology, sensitizing school children with various campaign messages hosted in schools website through Tenece Virtual e learning programme platform in this period of lockdown and in order not to leave any vacuum or space.
“POCACOV shall continue to enlighten stakeholders and other members of the public through jingles, designed e-messages on various platforms, social media and other online platforms on the need to be security conscious. We are also, sensitizing the Youths not to rise against the will of Government at all levels but to close Ranks by ensuring that we all take responsibility so that together, we will fight the coronavirus pandemic to a standstill,” Amaraizu said.
