The Rivers State Commissioner of Police, Olugbenga Adepoju, has called on parents, schools, religious institutions and community leaders to play more active roles in steering young people away from crime, cultism and drug abuse.
Speaking at the state-wide relaunch of the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices in Port Harcourt on Thursday, Adepoju described crime prevention as a shared responsibility that cannot be left to security agencies alone.
He said many young people are lured into cult groups by false promises of protection, wealth and influence, warning that such paths often end in violence, regret and death.
“The fight against cultism begins at home and continues in our schools, churches, mosques and communities. We must pay closer attention to our children because shaping young people today is key to preventing crime in the future,” he said.
The police commissioner urged parents and guardians to instill good values in their children, monitor the company they keep, encourage honesty, promote education and mentorship, and expose them to vocational and life-enhancing opportunities.
According to him, stronger parental guidance and community engagement will discourage young people from embracing crime while helping to build a safer society.
Adepoju also appealed directly to students and youths, encouraging them to pursue legitimate ambitions rather than criminal activities.
“Your life has value. Your dreams are bigger than any cult group. The greatest achievement is not carrying a weapon but carrying knowledge, skill, integrity and good character,” he said.
The commissioner noted that the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices initiative had contributed to efforts aimed at reducing cultism, drug abuse and other social vices in Rivers State.
He called for sustained collaboration with traditional rulers, youth groups and other stakeholders to strengthen crime prevention across communities.
Also speaking, the National Coordinator of POCCACOV, Superintendent of Police Orvrnonne Ikwen, said the initiative was relaunched to renew public awareness and deepen partnerships with communities.
She stressed that effective policing requires both law enforcement and preventive strategies.
“We cannot do it alone. We cannot continue to rely on kinetic measures alone. We must combine them with non-kinetic approaches through dialogue, public engagement and prevention,” she said.
The Eze Nye Nwe-Eli Evo Kingdom and patron of POCCACOV, Lesley Eke, commended the police for revitalising the initiative and urged traditional rulers to take the anti-crime campaign back to their communities by sensitising residents on the dangers of cultism and other criminal activities
