In a move to sensitise youths in particular and residents in general on the negative effects of cultism, illicit drugs intake and other vices, the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), on Tuesday, staged a walk in Lagos State as part of enlightenment.
The walk was held in collaboration with the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP), Lagos State, and was led by the Commissioner of Police in the state, Adegoke Fayoade.
Others who participated in the walk included the Sector Commander of the Federal Road Safety Corps, Lagos, Patrick Davou; state Deputy Commander of Narcotics, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), Kazeem Makinde; police spokesman, SP Benjamin Hundeyin; state chairman of POCACOV, Dr Dayo Ogunsan; NAOSNP President, Samson Oki, as well as its members, among others.
The participants moved from police command headquarters in Ikeja to the state governor’s office, with a charge to residents, particularly youths, on the need to shun the vices that would negatively impact on their lives and the society.
In his address, CP Fayoade said: “We have been collaborating with relevant stakeholders in order to sensitise on the need to stop drug use and curb cultism, especially among youths.
“We hope with this campaign, we can get to a level where crime will be minimal in our society.”
Also, chairman of POCACOV in the state, Dr Ayo Ogunsan, said: “On assumption of office, I managed to set a clear direction; our assignment majorly is preventative, while other agencies are to use corrective measures.
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“However, for us, we want to prevent such vices like cultism. We are preachers of peace and hope that through this campaign, we can be able to prevent our youths from embracing cultism and other vices.
“We are using this opportunity to extend a hand of love to those involved to come now so that they can be saved.
“We are ready to support them; we want them to drop their arms and other weapons and embrace peace.
“They must know that the consequences of all these actions are negative and they are generational, because such acts destroy their family name and reputation.
“So they should embrace peace now and this is the reason for the walk. The message is that we are ready to support whoever renounces cultism.
“We will support such person on how to be useful members of society. We can enrol them back in school or help them learn trade.
“That is what we are meant for; we are not meant to arrest, but embrace whoever wants to have a change of life.
“It is only those who refuse to accept this offer of love that the police will now go after.
“So, we are the first point of call; you can come to us, drop your weapons and start a new life, but failure to accept our offer, then we hand you over when caught.”
It will be recalled that the Inspector-General of Police, Dr Kayode Egbetokun, recently appointed CSP Olabisi Okuwobi as the National Coordinator of POCACOV.
