Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Anambra State Police Command, through the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), has intensified efforts to prevent crime and promote positive youth development by partnering with the Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs to expand advocacy against cultism, substance abuse, cybercrime, bullying, and other social vices during the 2026 August Meeting. This was contained in a statement signed by SP. Ikenga Tochukwu, Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Police Command, Awka.
The partnership was initiated during a courtesy visit by the Anambra State POCACOV team to the Ministry on Tuesday, 4th August 2026, as part of ongoing efforts to leverage the annual August Meeting as a strategic platform for engaging women on their critical role in preventing youth involvement in crime and other anti-social behaviours.
The delegation was led by the State Coordinator of POCACOV, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Francisca Egbunike, and included the POCACOV Women Leader/Ambassador, Lady Florence N. Mmakah (JP, AHNR), alongside other members of the campaign team.
Speaking during the visit, the POCACOV Coordinator emphasized that mothers, women leaders, and caregivers remain indispensable partners in the fight against crime, given their influence in shaping the character, values, and behaviour of children and young people. She noted that the August Meeting presents a unique opportunity to reach thousands of women across the State with practical crime prevention messages that will strengthen families and communities.
The delegation appealed to the Ministry to support the inclusion of POCACOV advocacy sessions in August Meeting programmes across Anambra State. The proposed engagements will focus on responsible parenting, youth mentorship, moral upbringing, value reorientation, and the early identification of behavioural changes that may predispose children and adolescents to criminal activities.
Responding, the Honourable 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 impactful and assured the delegation of the Ministry’s readiness to collaborate in mobilizing women across the State to safeguard children and young people from negative influences while promoting peace, discipline, responsible parenting, and good citizenship.
The 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 equally encourage education, entrepreneurship, skills acquisition, innovation, and other lawful means of livelihood as sustainable alternatives capable of empowering young people and reducing their vulnerability to crime.
The statement also reads: “The Anambra State Police Command, through POCACOV, remains committed to strengthening partnerships with government institutions, traditional rulers, faith-based organisations, educational institutions, civil society organisations, youth groups, women associations, and community leaders in advancing preventive policing, promoting public safety, and building safer communities across the State in line with the vision of the Inspector-General of Police for a professionally competent, service-driven, and community-oriented Nigeria Police Force.
“For enquiries and protocol arrangements regarding POCACOV activities in Anambra State, the State Coordinator can be reached on 08152313364, ” it also added.
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