The Inspector-General of Police (I-G), Kayode Egbetokun, has called on the newly appointed national coordinator of the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), SP Orvenonne Ikwen, to embrace crime-prevention strategies.

The Force public relations officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said this in a statement on Sunday in Abuja.

He described POCACOV as a strategic national initiative of the Nigeria Police Force designed to advance non-kinetic approaches in combating cultism and other social vices.

Mr Hundeyin said the appointment of Ms Ikwem was in line with the I-G’s commitment to a modern, intelligence-led, technology-driven and citizen-centred policing vision.

The police spokesman said the idea was to prioritise early intervention, public trust and proactive community engagement in tackling crime nationwide.

He said the I-G had enjoined the new head of POCACOV to strengthen preventive policing and expand community engagements to ensure people-friendly and rule-of-law-compliant policing.

“You must explore innovative strategies for crime prevention, engage a diverse range of stakeholders, organisations and community leaders.

“You must also engage educational institutions, youth groups and partners who have been supporting the vision of the campaign over the years,” Mr Hundeyin quoted the I-G as saying.

Mr Hundeyin said the experience of the new coordinator as an experienced police officer, security and development practitioner and strategic communication expert would bring a strong blend of professional and academic credentials to her new role.

According to him, as the national coordinator, Ms Ikwen is expected to expand and deepen POCACOV’s engagements across institutions of higher learning, schools, communities and youth platforms.

He said the idea was to address cultism, drug abuse, cyber vulnerabilities, gender-based violence, misinformation and other social vices through preventive, participatory and community-centred approaches.

Ms Hundeyin said Ms Ikwen holds a PhD in Computer Science, majoring in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science from the University of Calabar.

He said the new POCACOV coordinator had distinguished herself through her contributions to technology-driven policing, public relations and behavioural change communication.

“She is a member of the Institute of Strategic Management of Nigeria (ISMN) and the Institute of Conflict Management Negotiation Analysts (ICMNA).

“She has played key roles in police transformation projects, research and inter-agency collaborations,” he said. 

(NAN)