Anambra Police Partner Ministry of Women Affairs to Combat Cultism, Substance Abuse, Cybercrime

The Anambra State Police Command, through the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), on Tuesday paid a courtesy visit to the Anambra State Ministry of Women Affairs as part of efforts to strengthen collaboration in the fight against cultism, substance abuse, cybercrime, bullying, human trafficking, sexual and gender-based violence, and other anti-social behaviours.
In a statement issued by the Police Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Police Command, Awka, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the visit was described as part of the Command’s proactive efforts to prevent crime and promote positive youth development through strategic partnerships with relevant government institutions.
According to the statement, the partnership was initiated during the courtesy visit by the Anambra State POCACOV team to the Ministry 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 social vices.
The delegation was led by the State Coordinator of POCACOV, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Francisca Egbunike, and included the POCACOV Women Leader and Ambassador, Lady Florence N. Mmakah (JP, AHNR), alongside other members of the campaign team.
Speaking during the visit, ASP Egbunike stressed that mothers, women leaders, and caregivers remain indispensable partners in crime prevention because of their significant influence in shaping the character, values, attitudes, and behaviour of children and young people. She noted that the annual August Meeting provides a unique opportunity to reach thousands of women across the state with practical crime prevention messages capable of strengthening families, promoting responsible parenting, and building safer communities.
She further appealed to the Ministry to support the inclusion of POCACOV advocacy sessions in August Meeting programmes across Anambra State. According to her, 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 Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs. Esther Chinyere Onyekesi, commended the Nigeria Police Force for adopting a proactive, preventive, and community-based approach to crime prevention through POCACOV. She described the initiative as timely, impactful, and essential in addressing the growing social challenges confronting young people.
The Commissioner assured the delegation of the Ministry’s readiness to collaborate with the Police Command in mobilising women across the state to safeguard children and youths from negative influences while promoting peace, discipline, responsible parenting, moral values, and good citizenship.
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, innovation, and other lawful means of livelihood as sustainable alternatives capable of empowering young people, reducing their vulnerability to crime, and fostering productive engagement.
The Anambra State Police Command, through POCACOV, reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening partnerships with government institutions, traditional rulers, faith-based organisations, educational institutions, civil society organisations, youth groups, women associations, and community leaders to advance preventive policing, enhance public safety, and build safer communities across the state. The Command noted that the initiative aligns with the vision of the Inspector-General of Police to promote a professionally competent, service-driven, and community-oriented Nigeria Police Force.
The Command also stated that enquiries and protocol arrangements regarding POCACOV activities in Anambra State can be directed to the State Coordinator on 08152313364.