By Ovat Abeng
The Commissioner of Police, Anambra State Command, CP Ikioye Orutugu, on Friday, led key stakeholders, officers and men of the Command and concerned members of the public on a walk and advocacy campaign against cultism and other social vices in Awka.
While addressing participants during the exercise, the CP read the riot act to individuals involved in cultism and other criminal activities, warning that the Command will not tolerate any act capable of threatening public peace and security across the State.
The CP noted that the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) remains a community-driven initiative of the Nigeria Police Force, on engagement, advocacy, prevention, and strategic partnerships rather than enforcement alone.
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Stakeholders present at the event included the Staff of the Red Cross Society of Nigeria, Hon. Ken Okoli, Youth President General Anambra State Association of Town Unions (ASATU), Hon Kingsley Ezika, Special Adviser to the Governor on Security (Anti-Cultism) and Chairman, POCACOV Anambra State, Comrade Surveyor Emeka Obi, the National Youth Council of Nigeria (NYCN) Anambra State, Chief Mike Ozoemena the Managing Director, Anambra State Waste Management Authority (ASWAMA) amongst others.
Also in attendance were representatives of the Keke and Bus Drivers’ Unions who pledged their support to the Police Command by sustaining the advocacy and providing timely information that would help nip to the bud cultism and other crime-related activities in the State.
The CP reiterated the Command’s zero-tolerance stance on cult-related violence, assuring residents that the Police will continue to deploy all lawful strategies to prevent crime, apprehend offenders, and maintain law and order throughout Anambra State.
He further 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 and by promptly reporting suspicious activities to security agencies.
