The Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, has officially flagged off the nationwide advocacy and sensitisation campaign of the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), reaffirming the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to tackling cultism, drug abuse and other social vices through preventive policing and community engagement.
The initiative, announced in a statement issued on Sunday by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Anietie Okokon Edem Iniedu, will be implemented across police commands nationwide as part of efforts to strengthen grassroots awareness and discourage criminal behaviour among young people.
According to the statement, the campaign forms part of the Force’s broader strategy to promote proactive policing by engaging communities, preventing crime before it occurs and fostering stronger partnerships with critical stakeholders.
As the flagship community policing initiative of the Nigeria Police Force, POCACOV is designed to steer youths away from cultism, drug abuse, violent crimes and other social vices through sustained public enlightenment, early intervention and collaboration with schools, religious organisations, traditional institutions and community leaders.
The Inspector-General said the campaign underscores the Force’s determination to build safer communities by addressing the root causes of crime through education, advocacy and strategic partnerships.
“The initiative forms part of the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment to proactive policing, community engagement, and sustained efforts to combat cultism and other social vices through grassroots sensitization, early intervention, and strategic stakeholder engagement.”
The police further explained that the campaign seeks to promote positive values among young Nigerians while strengthening cooperation between law enforcement agencies and members of the public in the fight against crime.
“As the flagship community policing initiative of the Nigeria Police Force, POCACOV is designed to discourage youth involvement in cultism, drug abuse, violent crime, and other social vices by promoting positive values and strengthening partnerships with schools, communities, religious bodies, and other relevant stakeholders.”
Reaffirming its commitment to preventive policing, the Force stressed that it would continue to deploy initiatives aimed at protecting young people from criminal influences while promoting public safety across the country.
“The Nigeria Police Force remains committed to preventive policing strategies that promote public safety, protect young people from criminal influences, and foster safer communities across the country,” the statement added.
