POCACOV Reaches 500 Lagos Students with Strong Anti-Cultism, Drug Abuse Campaign
As part of activities marking National Police Day 2026, the Lagos State arm of the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) has intensified efforts to curb youth involvement in crime, sensitising students on the dangers of cultism, drug abuse, and other social vices.
The awareness campaign, held on Day Three of Police Week 2026 at Metropolitan Senior College in Isolo, drew no fewer than 500 students from 22 secondary schools across Isolo and neighbouring communities. The programme brought together officers of the Nigeria Police Force and key education stakeholders in a united push to address rising concerns over youth-related social vices.
Speaking at the event, Lagos State POCACOV Coordinator, Ogochukwu Olivia, described the initiative as a proactive, non-kinetic strategy focused on preventing crime before it occurs. According to her, the campaign—an initiative of the Inspector-General of Police—targets young people directly through consistent school and community engagement.
“We are not waiting for crimes to be committed. We go directly to the youths to educate them on the dangers of cultism, drug abuse, cybercrime, and other social vices, and how these can affect their future and society,” she said.
She added that the programme, conducted with the approval of the Ministry of Education, is sustained across various districts to ensure wider reach and impact.
Delivering a lecture titled “The Future is Ours: Standing Against Social Vices – Empowering Students to Make Responsible Choices for a Better Society,” Chief Superintendent of Police, Agboola P. O., urged students to take charge of their future through discipline and informed decision-making. He represented the Area D Commander on behalf of the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, Tijani Fatai.
“Your future is in your hands. What you become tomorrow depends on the decisions you make today. It is not by words, but by your commitment to your studies and your character,” he said.
CSP Agboola emphasised that the outreach aligns with the police’s core mandate of crime prevention, warning that involvement in drug abuse and cultism carries lasting consequences.
“Drug abuse affects the brain and the body. The more you indulge in it, the more harm you cause to yourself,” he cautioned, while also advising students to resist negative peer pressure and report suspicious activities.
In her remarks, delivered on behalf of the District Counsellor, Education District VI, Mojisola, Miss Omotuyole Olufunke Grace commended the initiative, stressing the urgent need to tackle drug abuse among youths.
“Drug abuse has become widespread in our society. Programmes like this are essential to educating and protecting the younger generation,” she noted, urging students to act as peer educators by sharing the knowledge gained.
Students who attended the programme described it as impactful. A participant, Tina of Metropolitan Senior College, said the session reinforced the importance of good behaviour and responsibility, while Olajide Daniel of Isolo Senior Secondary School highlighted the value of associating with positive-minded peers.
Participating schools included Ansar-ud-Deen Comprehensive Schools, Metropolitan Colleges, Isolo Secondary Schools, Okota Schools, Central High Schools, Matori Senior Grammar School, Ijeshatedo Grammar Schools, Ajumoni Grammar Schools, Ilamoye Junior Grammar School, Eko Junior Grammar School, and Ire-Akari Junior Grammar School.
Stakeholders at the event called for sustained collaboration between the police, schools, and communities, noting that continuous sensitisation remains crucial in addressing the growing incidence of social vices among young people.
The event also featured a lighter moment as participants celebrated the birthday of POCACOV Coordinator, Ogochukwu Olivia, with students joining in the surprise celebration, adding a warm, human touch to an impactful day of learning and engagement.