By Odita Sunday
The Anambra State Police Command has enlisted the support of the Ministry of Women Affairs in a renewed campaign against cultism, substance abuse, cybercrime and other social vices ahead of the 2026 August Meeting.
Under the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), the Command said it would leverage the annual gathering of women across the state to promote responsible parenting and prevent young people from embracing crime.
The partnership was sealed during a courtesy visit by the state POCACOV team to the Ministry of Women Affairs in Awka.
Leading the delegation, the State Coordinator of POCACOV, ASP Francisca Egbunike, said mothers and women leaders remain the first line of defence against youth involvement in crime because of their influence on children’s upbringing and values.
She appealed to the ministry to create space for POCACOV sensitisation sessions during the August Meeting, describing the annual event as an opportunity to reach thousands of women with crime prevention messages.
According to her, the campaign will focus on responsible parenting, youth mentorship, moral values and the early identification of behavioural changes that may lead young people into cultism, drug abuse and other criminal activities.
Responding, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Esther Chinyere Onyekesi, praised the Nigeria Police Force for embracing preventive and community-based policing through POCACOV.
She pledged the ministry’s support in mobilising women across Anambra to protect children and youths from harmful influences and promote peace, discipline and good citizenship.
The campaign will also educate participants on the dangers of cultism, substance abuse, cybercrime, human trafficking, bullying and sexual and gender-based violence, while encouraging education, entrepreneurship and skills acquisition as pathways to productive living.
The Police Command reiterated its commitment to working with government agencies, traditional rulers, religious bodies, schools, women’s groups and other stakeholders to strengthen preventive policing and build safer communities across Anambra State.
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