By Abimbola Abatta, Osogbo
Osun State Police Command on Thursday launched the campaign against cultism and other vices in the state.
The State Commissoner of Police, CP Olawale Olokode in his speech said he had resolved to run a State Command that is not only proactive in internal security management, but also people-oriented.
He noted that the campaign was aimed at saving youths from the claws of cultism and other vices through advocacy, awareness creation, sensitization and re-orientation, and School and community Police Campaign against Cultim and Other Vices (POCACOV).
Olokode stated that the evolving initiatives will address the root causes of crime in the state and in line with the Inspector-General of Police, Usman Alkali Baba’s better option of proactive policing, concentrating on root cause of crime manifestations.
“The POCACOV represents a new approach by the Nigeria Police in combating cultism and other vices. It is also a way of recognizing the fact that core law enforcement approach is no longer enough in combating these sets of crimes.
“Hence, the need to work with different stakeholders as well as mobilize the people to support in getting to the root of the crimes.”
The police boss called on all stakeholders in Osun State and environ to join the Nigeria police Force through POCACOV to carry out enlightenment campaigns with a view to dissuading youths from engaging in Cultism, Drug Abuse, Sexual and Gender-Based Violence and Other Vices in the Community.”
He noted that the POCACOV initiative which was equally targeted at students is already making positive impacts across the States of the Federation and Osun State is today joining the train.
He said all hands must be on deck in this campaign, as security is not cheap anywhere in the world and there’s no society that is immune to crime and violence.
Olokode called on Local Government Chairmen, heads of government parastatals, lawmakers, private sectors and leaders at every level to join the greater war against cultism, a canker worm that must be substantially uprooted from the system.