REPORTER: NKIRU EGWUI
The Anambra State Police Command has rallied other critical stakeholders to stage a walk and advocacy against cultism and other vices ravaging the society.
The programme was staged in collaboration with the Anambra State Chapter of the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices, POCACOV.
The event, which revolved around “Crime – Free Christmas Sensitization, has its theme as, “Promoting Peace, Preventing Crime This Christmas”.
Addressing the participants during the exercise, the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, Mr Ikioye Orutugu, read the riot act to individuals promoting cultism and other criminal activities, warning that they would not tolerate any act capable of threatening public peace and security across the area.
Mr Orutugu noted that the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices, POCACOV, remained a community-driven initiative of the Nigeria Police Force, on engagement, advocacy, prevention, and strategic partnerships.
The Commissioner of Police further reiterated the Command’s zero-tolerance stance on cult-related violence, assuring residents that the Police would continue to deploy all lawful strategies to prevent crime, apprehend offenders, and maintain law and order.
He also called on parents, community leaders, religious bodies, transport unions, and youth groups to join hands with the Police by guiding young people away from cultism and other vices.
Speaking with the media, the Anambra State Chapter Chairman of POCACOV, Mr Kingsley Ezika, emphasized that the initiative embodies its foundational values on strategic crime prevention, peace promotion, and the creation of livable communities.
He noted that the campaign aligns with the vision andi mission of the Nigeria Police Force under the leadership of the Inspector General of Police, IGP, Mr Kayode Egbetokun.
Mr Ezika expressed deep appreciation to the Anambra State Police Command for its unwavering support and active involvement.
He highlighted that the Command’s commitment and collaboration reaffirmed the police’s integral role in community-based security initiatives.
Both the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, Mr Orutugu and the Anambra State POCACOV Chairman, Mr Ezika commended a philanthropist, High Chief Jim Martins Nwabueze for using his foundation to promote peace, security and development in the area.
In Anambra State, the sensitization drive was tailored to raise awareness about the dangers and consequences of cultism, drug abuse, violent crimes, and other social vices that undermined public safety.
The campaign drew wide participation from sister security agencies, traditional rulers, religious leaders, youth and students’ bodies, civil society organizations, transport unions, including Keke and bus drivers’ associations and other critical stakeholders committed to building a safer Anambra.
Also in attendance were the Youth President of the Anambra State Association of Town Unions, ASATU, Mr Ken Okoli, the Managing Director of the Anambra State Waste Management Agency, ASWAMA, Chief Mike Ozoemena, Mr Linus Williams Ifejika, Comrade Emeka Obi of the National Youth Council of Nigeria, NYCN and staff of the Red Cross Society of Nigeria.
Highlight of the programme was the presentation of a souvenir to the Commissioner of Police by the President of NANS.
Radio Nigeria correspondent Nkiru Egwui reports that the campaign and advocacy were held simultaneously across the thirty six states of the federation as directed by the Inspector General of Police.
