By
Gloria Josiah

The Nigeria Police Force has intensified its fight against cultism, drug abuse, cybercrime and other social vices in Anambra State as the Inspector-General of Police’s Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices, POCACOV, team began a strategic advocacy tour of the state.

In a statement issued by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the delegation is being led by the National Coordinator of POCACOV, SP Orvenonne Ikwen, PhD. The team is in Anambra to deepen collaboration with the state government and key stakeholders on peacebuilding, security and responsible citizenship.

The visit is focused on building stronger partnerships with traditional rulers, schools, religious bodies, youth groups, and civil society organizations to tackle the underlying causes of crime, especially among young people.

Stakeholder Engagements
As part of the program, the POCACOV team paid courtesy visits to the Secretary to the Anambra State Government, Mrs. Chiamaka Nnake, and the Chairman of the Anambra State Traditional Rulers Council, HRM Igwe Iweka III of Obosi.

Discussions centered on preventive policing through sustained public awareness, value reorientation, mentorship, and community involvement to reduce youth involvement in crime.

Both Mrs. Nnake and Igwe Iweka III praised the IGP for sustaining the POCACOV initiative, describing it as a proactive, community-based approach to crime prevention. They pledged the state government’s continued support to ensure the campaign reaches every community in Anambra.

Commitment to Partnership
Speaking during the engagements, SP Ikwen reaffirmed the IGP’s commitment to discouraging cultism, drug abuse, violent extremism, cybercrime and other offenses through strategic partnerships and ongoing stakeholder engagement.

She emphasized that effective policing requires the joint effort of government, communities, parents, schools and faith-based groups to guide young people toward positive values and lawful living.

The advocacy tour also included interactive sessions with AIG Miller Gajere Dantawaye, PSC, of Zone 13, and the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, AIG Ikioye Orutugu, FWC, MNIPS, PhD, in their respective offices.

Members of the delegation included Mr. Collins Iwuoba, Mr. Akindele Adegebo, HRM Igwe Dr. Emeka Ilouno, Comrade Ken Okoli, members of the POCACOV State Working Committee, and POCACOV ambassadors from across Anambra.

The Anambra State Police Command urged residents to support the POCACOV initiative and programs that promote positive values, lawful conduct, and constructive youth engagement, reaffirming its commitment to work with stakeholders to improve security and sustain peace in the state