Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), Anambra State Command, has appointed the state Commissioner for Women Affairs and Social Welfare, Mrs Esther Chinyere Onyekesi, as a Very Senior Ambassador of the campaign.
The development, announced on Thursday, August 7, 2026, is part of the Police Command’s efforts to deepen collaboration with critical stakeholders in the fight against cultism, substance abuse, bullying, cybercrime and other social vices affecting children and youths.
The POCACOV team, led by Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Francisca Egbunike, said the recognition of the commissioner was aimed at strengthening the partnership between the Nigeria Police Force and the Ministry of Women Affairs, particularly in protecting children, teenagers and other vulnerable members of society.
Egbunike, while highlighting the importance of the ministry to family and community development, identified advocacy, counselling, youth empowerment, protection of vulnerable persons and early intervention as critical areas requiring sustained collaboration.
She said a stronger partnership between the Police and the Ministry would help address behaviours capable of exposing young people to criminality, drug abuse and other harmful influences.
Responding, Commissioner Onyekesi appreciated POCACOV for the recognition and expressed the ministry’s readiness to sustain and strengthen its partnership with the Nigeria Police Force through the campaign.
She reaffirmed the ministry’s commitment to supporting programmes designed to prevent cultism, substance abuse, bullying, cybercrime and other social vices among teenagers and youths across the state.
The commissioner’s appointment as a Very Senior Ambassador, according to the Command, underscores the importance of inter-agency and community-based partnerships in tackling emerging threats to children and young people.
The Anambra State Police Command, through POCACOV, subsequently called on parents, traditional rulers, religious leaders, community leaders, schools, youth organisations, civil society groups and other stakeholders to support its efforts to build safer communities.
The Command said collective action remained essential to creating a responsible society where children and young people could grow without being exposed to criminality, violence and other harmful social influences.
The Police Public Relations Officer, Anambra State Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, issued the statement on August 7, 2026.
