The Anambra State Police Command has partnered with the state Ministry of Women Affairs to strengthen advocacy against cultism, substance abuse, cybercrime and other social vices ahead of the 2026 August Meeting.
The collaboration, under the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), is aimed at leveraging the annual August Meeting to sensitise women on their critical role in preventing crime and promoting positive values among young people.
The initiative followed a courtesy visit by the Anambra State POCACOV team to the Ministry of Women Affairs on Tuesday in Awka.
The delegation was led by the State Coordinator of POCACOV, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Francisca Egbunike, alongside the POCACOV Women Leader and Ambassador, Lady Florence N. Mmakah (JP, AHNR), and other members of the campaign team.
Speaking during the visit, Egbunike stressed the importance of mothers, women leaders and caregivers in shaping the character and behaviour of children, describing them as indispensable partners in crime prevention.
She noted that the August Meeting provides a strategic platform to reach thousands of women across the state with practical messages on responsible parenting, youth mentorship, moral upbringing and early identification of behavioural changes that could expose children and adolescents to criminal activities.
The POCACOV team appealed to the Ministry to facilitate the inclusion of its advocacy sessions in August Meeting programmes across the state to deepen public awareness on preventive policing and youth development.
Responding, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Mrs Esther Chinyere Onyekesi, commended the Nigeria Police Force for adopting a proactive and community-based approach to tackling crime through POCACOV.
She described the initiative as timely and impactful, assuring the delegation of the ministry’s commitment to mobilising women across Anambra State to protect children and youths from negative influences while promoting responsible parenting, peace, discipline and good citizenship.
According to the police, the campaign will educate participants on the dangers 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 and innovation as viable alternatives for empowering young people and reducing their vulnerability to crime.
The Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening partnerships with government institutions, traditional rulers, faith-based organisations, schools, civil society groups, youth organisations, women associations and community leaders to advance preventive policing and enhance public safety across the state.
The Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, in a statement issued on Tuesday, said the initiative aligns with the vision of the Inspector-General of Police to build a professionally competent, service-driven and community-oriented Nigeria Police Force.
