The Anambra State Police Command has partnered with the state Ministry of Women Affairs to intensify efforts to combat cultism, substance abuse, cybercrime, bullying, human trafficking, sexual and gender-based violence, and other anti-social behaviours across the state.
The collaboration was initiated through the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) during a courtesy visit to the Ministry on Tuesday as part of measures to strengthen preventive policing and youth development.
According to a statement by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the partnership is aimed at leveraging the annual August Meeting as a platform to educate women on their role in preventing crime and guiding young people away from criminal activities.
The POCACOV delegation was led by the State Coordinator, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Francisca Egbunike, alongside the campaign’s Women Leader and Ambassador, Lady Florence N. Mmakah (JP, AHNR), and other team members.
Speaking during the visit, Egbunike described mothers, women leaders and caregivers as critical partners in crime prevention because of their influence in shaping the values and behaviour of children and youths. She said the August Meeting offers a unique opportunity to reach thousands of women with practical crime prevention messages that promote responsible parenting, family values and safer communities.
She appealed to the Ministry to incorporate POCACOV advocacy sessions into August Meeting programmes across the state. According to her, the sessions will focus on responsible parenting, youth mentorship, moral upbringing, value reorientation and early identification of behavioural changes that could expose children and adolescents to criminal activities.
Responding, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Esther Chinyere Onyekesi, commended the Nigeria Police Force for adopting a proactive and community-based approach to crime prevention through POCACOV. She described the initiative as timely and assured the delegation of the Ministry’s readiness to work with the Police Command in mobilising women across the state to protect children and youths from negative influences while promoting peace, discipline, moral values and responsible parenting.
The proposed advocacy campaign will educate participants on the dangers and consequences of cultism, substance abuse, cybercrime, human trafficking, sexual and gender-based violence, bullying and other anti-social behaviours. It will also encourage education, entrepreneurship, skills acquisition and other lawful means of livelihood as sustainable alternatives for young people.
The Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening partnerships with government institutions, traditional rulers, faith-based organisations, educational institutions, civil society groups, youth organisations and community leaders to advance preventive policing and improve public safety across Anambra State.
The Command added that enquiries and protocol arrangements concerning POCACOV activities in the state can be directed to the State Coordinator on 08152313364.