Titus Eleweke South East Editor
AWKA, Anambra – The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, on Friday led police officers and concerned members of the public on an advocacy walk aimed at combating cultism and other social vices across the state.
Speaking during the exercise, CP Orutugu said that the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) is a community-driven initiative of the Nigeria Police Force designed to promote positive social values.
He explained that the campaign focuses on engagement, advocacy, prevention, and strategic partnerships, rather than relying solely on enforcement.
In a statement issued by the Command’s spokesperson, SP Ikenga Tochukwu on Friday in Awka, the advocacy walk was described as part of the Police Command’s sustained efforts to proactively address cultism, youth-related crimes, and other social vices through collaboration with relevant stakeholders.
Addressing participants at the event, the Commissioner of Police issued a stern warning to individuals involved in cultism and other criminal activities, declaring that the Command would not tolerate any actions capable of threatening public peace and security in Anambra State.
He reaffirmed the Command’s commitment to maintaining law and order and protecting lives and property across the state.
CP Orutugu further reiterated that POCACOV remains a non-kinetic, people-centered initiative that thrives on community participation, preventive measures, and partnerships with government agencies, civil society groups, and youth organizations.
The advocacy walk was attended by several key stakeholders, including staff of the Nigerian Red Cross Society; Hon. Ken Okoli, Youth President General of the Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU); Hon. Kingsley Ezika, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security (Anti-Cultism) and Chairman of POCACOV, Anambra State; Comrade Surveyor Emeka Obi; representatives of the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN), Anambra State; and Chief Mike Ozoemena, Managing Director of the Anambra State Waste Management Authority (ASWAMA), among others.
Also in attendance were representatives of Keke and bus drivers’ unions, who pledged their continued support to the Police Command by sustaining advocacy efforts and providing timely information to help curb cultism and other crime-related activities in the state.
The Commissioner of Police reaffirmed the Command’s zero-tolerance stance on cult-related violence and assured residents that the Police would continue to deploy all lawful strategies to prevent crime, apprehend offenders, and ensure public safety throughout Anambra State.
He further called on parents, community leaders, religious institutions, transport unions, and youth groups to collaborate with the Police by guiding young people away from cultism and other social vices, and by promptly reporting suspicious activities to security agencies.
