Odimmegwa Johnpeter/Abuja
The Anambra State Police Command has charged the eight (8) Area Command and fifty-four (54) Divisional Coordinators of the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) to intensify community engagement and stakeholder advocacy as part of the Command’s proactive, non-kinetic policing strategy aimed at preventing crime, promoting public safety, and strengthening community resilience across the State. This was contained in a statement signed by SP. Ikenga Tochukwu, Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Police Command, Awka.
The statement reads: “The charge was given during a strategic engagement with the coordinators at the Command Headquarters, Awka, where the Command reaffirmed that sustainable security is best achieved through robust collaboration between the Police and key stakeholders, including traditional institutions, religious organisations, educational institutions, youth and women groups, market associations, civil society organisations, and other community-based organisations.
“The Command emphasised that POCACOV remains a strategic platform for advancing crime prevention through advocacy, mentorship, value reorientation, and public enlightenment. Accordingly, the coordinators were directed to deepen grassroots sensitisation campaigns against cultism, substance abuse, cybercrime, domestic violence, bullying, and other social vices that undermine peace, security, and socio-economic development within communities.
“In preparation for the forthcoming visit of the National Coordinator of POCACOV, the coordinators were further tasked with organising town hall meetings, school and community engagements, media advocacy programmes, youth mentorship initiatives, and stakeholder dialogues aimed at fostering responsible citizenship, peaceful coexistence, respect for the rule of law, and a shared commitment to crime prevention.
“The Command noted that effective policing extends beyond law enforcement to building public trust, strengthening partnerships with communities, and encouraging citizens to actively participate in safeguarding their environment through the timely provision of credible and actionable information.
“The Anambra State Police Command reaffirmed its unwavering commitment to deepening community policing and sustaining stakeholder-driven security initiatives through POCACOV and other proactive crime prevention programmes.
“The Command also called on residents to continue partnering with the Police in promoting peace, security, and public order across the State, “it also added.
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