The Inspector-General of Police, Mr Mohammed Adamu, has appointed SP Ebere Amaraizu (Enugu PPRO) as National Coordinator of Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV).
The appointment is in furtherance of the moves to strengthen the fight against cultism.
This is contained in a letter addressed to the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Sulaiman Balarabe, which was signed by the Force Public Relations Officer, DCP Frank Mba, on behalf of the IGP.
The letter was also copied to Amaraizu, who is also the Police Public Relations Officer in Enugu State on Tuesday in Enugu.
It also stated that having POCACOV as a national programme would help in stemming incidents of cultism and its related offences while helping the fight against insecurity generally in the country.
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The letter reads in part: “The Inspector General of Police has graciously approved the officer’s request as proposed in the letter under reference, and has also directed that you convey to him the IGP’s approval designating him as the National Coordinator of the programme.”
“The approval of the IG is predicated on his belief that the exercise will help the police in the fight of insecurity in the country, especially cultism among the youth and students.
“Thereby helping in making Nigeria a safer and better place for all.
“While wishing the organisers a successful flag off, do accept the assurance of the IG’s warmest regards, please.’’
Reacting to the appointment, Amaraizu lauded the police boss for the opportunity to serve as the national coordinator of the programme in order to see that young people were transformed and well-oriented to contribute positively to societal growth.
He said that POCACOV had spread its anti-cultism message as well as programme of de-radicalisation to various strata of the society especially to young Nigerians.
Amaraizu said the programme engagement and sensitisation had been taken to primary, secondary and tertiary institutions as well as artisans and young folks in communities in the state.
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“Apart from the sensitisation and engagement, we have mapped and streamlined de-racalisation programme that runs for months, as a follow-up.
“This is to ensure that those redeemed from the claws of cultism do not go back to the evil act,’’ he said.
It would be recalled that POCACOV, which pilot-stage started in Enugu state, had helped in reducing incidents of cultism and its related vices in the state.
It thus had made the state one of the safest in the country.
The POCACOV campaign had enjoyed the applause and support of well-meaning individuals in the society as well as Enugu state government.
The pilot stage of the campaign was conceived, started and nurtured by Amaraizu since 2012 during the current IGP Adamu days as commissioner of police in Enugu state. (NAN)
