The Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices, POCACOV, has extended its community-based crime prevention drive beyond schools to transport unions, market leaders and other grassroots stakeholders in Lagos. The sensitization held on Monday at the Apapa-Iganmu LCDA Secretariat Hall in Badia brought together NURTW, RTEAN, traders, youth leaders, police officers and residents under the theme “Say No to Drug Abuse, Cultism and Election Violence.”
Apapa-Iganmu LCDA Chairman, Hon. Jimoh Olawale Saliu, said the programme marks the next phase of the council’s collaboration with POCACOV, moving into motor parks and markets where daily interactions shape public behaviour. He urged transport operators and traders to reject drug abuse and cult activities, and warned that the council will not tolerate election violence. Representing the Lagos CP, Area B Commander ACP Onyinyechi Onwuamaegbu described transport parks as strategic spaces that must not be used for cult recruitment, drug trafficking or thuggery. She cautioned youths against being used by politicians to foment violence, debunked myths that cultism brings protection or wealth, and urged residents to use police reporting channels and reject jungle justice.
Lagos State POCACOV Coordinator, SP Olivia Ugochukwu, said the campaign is part of the IGP’s preventive policing model focused on tackling social drivers of crime through education and mentorship. She noted the sensitization will be followed by continued grassroots engagements across other LGAs in Lagos, with stronger partnerships with councils and private groups. The initiative aims to promote responsible citizenship and peace as election activities intensify, with POCACOV stressing that preventing crime through community vigilance is more effective than responding after offences occur.
