The Anambra State Police Command has partnered with the state Ministry of Women Affairs to intensify advocacy against cultism, substance abuse, cybercrime and other social vices through the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) ahead of the 2026 August Meeting.
The collaboration aims to leverage the annual August Meeting to educate women on their role in preventing youth involvement in crime and other anti-social behaviours, while promoting crime prevention and positive youth development across the state.
The partnership was initiated during a courtesy visit by the Anambra State POCACOV team to the Ministry of Women Affairs on Tuesday.
The delegation was led by the State Coordinator of POCACOV, Assistant Superintendent of Police (ASP) Francisca Egbunike, alongside the campaign’s Women Leader and Ambassador, Lady Florence Mmakah, and other members of the team.
Speaking during the visit, Egbunike described mothers, women leaders and caregivers as key stakeholders in crime prevention because of their influence on the values and behaviour of children and young people.
She said the August Meeting provides a strategic platform to reach thousands of women with practical messages on responsible parenting, youth mentorship, moral upbringing, value reorientation and the early identification of behavioural changes that could predispose children and adolescents to criminal activities.
Egbunike appealed to the ministry to facilitate the inclusion of POCACOV advocacy sessions in August Meeting programmes across the state to broaden public awareness and strengthen community participation in crime prevention.
Responding, the Commissioner for Women Affairs, Esther Onyekesi, commended the Nigeria Police Force for adopting a proactive, 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 the state to protect children and young people from negative influences while promoting peace, discipline, responsible parenting and good citizenship.
According to the police, the advocacy campaign will also 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 further promote education, entrepreneurship, skills acquisition and other lawful means of livelihood as sustainable alternatives for empowering young people and reducing their vulnerability to crime.
The Anambra State Police Command reaffirmed its commitment to strengthening partnerships with government institutions, traditional rulers, faith-based organisations, educational institutions, civil society groups, youth organisations, women associations and community leaders to advance preventive policing and enhance public safety across the state.