CP-Adekimi-Ojo, Yusuf Ali, Others Caution Students Against Social Vices
The Kwara State Police Command has intensified its efforts to combat cultism and other social vices among students, urging young individuals to reject criminal influences and adopt values that will secure their future.
This directive was issued during the Police Campaign Against Cultism and other Vices (POCACOV) Security Awareness Programme for Schools, held at the Police Officers’ Mess in Ilorin.
The event brought together security agencies, legal practitioners, educators community leaders and other stakeholders to raise awareness among students about the dangers of cultism, drug abuse, cybercrime, and other anti-social behaviors.
During the event, the Commissioner of Police for Kwara State, CP Adekimi Ojo, emphasized the necessity for schools to remain safe environments where students can pursue their education without fear of violence or criminal activities.
He highlighted that the Nigeria Police Force is increasingly focusing on preventive policing through education and community engagement, rather than relying solely on arrests and prosecutions.
“The Nigeria Police Force has adopted preventive policing as a fundamental strategy for crime reduction. While law enforcement remains a critical responsibility, we also acknowledge that preventing crime through education, partnerships, and community engagement is equally vital,” Ojo stated.
The police commissioner cautioned students against joining cult groups or engaging in drug abuse, internet fraud, violence, and other criminal activities that could jeopardize their futures.
“Your future is one of your most valuable assets. Every decision you make today has the potential to shape your tomorrow. Reject cultism, drug abuse, internet fraud, violence, and any activities that could undermine your aspirations,” he advised.
He also called upon parents and teachers to take a more active role in mentoring young people by instilling discipline, moral values, and respect for the law.
Ojo stressed that addressing insecurity necessitates collaboration among security agencies, educational institutions, parents, religious organizations, traditional institutions, and other stakeholders.
He commended the State Coordinator of POCACOV, ASP Ibrahim Muritala, and the initiative’s members for their efforts in bringing security awareness campaigns directly to schools and communities.
Earlier, the POCACOV State Coordinator, ASP Ibrahim Muritala, characterized the programme as a strategic investment in the future of Nigerian children, asserting that schools should serve as centers for learning, character development, and moral excellence, rather than as breeding grounds for criminality.
He noted that the initiative aims to prevent crime through advocacy, mentorship, and positive engagement with young people before they become involved in criminal activities.
“Today’s programme is not merely another gathering; it represents a strategic investment in the future of our children and our nation. Prevention is always preferable to cure,” Muritala remarked.
He urged students to resist peer pressure and remain focused on education, discipline, integrity, and respect for constituted authority.
Addressing the participants, retired SP Ajayi Okasanmi, former Police Public Relations Officer of the Kwara State Command, traced the history of cultism in Nigeria, warning that what began as an intellectual movement decades ago has evolved into violent criminal gangs associated with murder, armed robbery, kidnapping, drug abuse, and political violence.
He identified peer pressure, inadequate parental supervision, unemployment, drug abuse, weak moral values, and social media influence as contributing factors to cultism and other social vices.
Okasanmi called on parents, schools, government, and community leaders to enhance guidance, counseling, youth empowerment, and moral education while encouraging students to report suspicious activities to security agencies.
Additionally, Senior Advocate of Nigeria, Yusuf Ali, represented by Obayomi Azeez Olaitan of Yusuf Ali & Co., warned students against being misled by promises of protection or influence from cult groups.
“Do not allow yourself to become entangled in these groups, as the consequences will jeopardize your future. It is not worth the risk,” he cautioned.
Ali emphasized that security is a collective responsibility and urged the public to promptly report any suspicious movements and criminal activities to the relevant authorities.
“The real security challenges require the involvement of all of us. Everyone has a role to play. If you observe suspicious activities or unusual movements in your community, you should raise the alarm,” he stated.
The programme included presentations from representatives of the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC), and other security experts, all of whom underscored the necessity for ongoing awareness campaigns to keep schools free from cultism, violence, drug abuse, and other social vices.
