Cross River State Police Command has taken its campaign against cultism and social vices to secondary schools, sensitising schoolgirls on child rights, dangers of cultism, drug abuse and negative peer pressure.

The outreach, organised by Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices, POCACOV, was held at Holy Child Girls Secondary School, Calabar, Monday as part of activities marking International Day of the Girl Child.

The programme was implemented by the State POCACOV Coordinator, ASP Isiwu Marvellous, under the leadership of the Commissioner of Police, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue.

During the visit, students were educated on Child Rights Act, particularly their rights to education, dignity and protection from abuse, exploitation and discrimination.

The police also warned students against dangers of cultism, drug abuse, indecent dressing, truancy and other social vices that can truncate their future, urging them to embrace discipline, build self-confidence and make responsible decisions.

“As girl-child, you have the right to education, right to dignity, right to be protected from abuse. Nobody has right to molest you, exploit you or force you into cultism or drugs. Say no to any man or senior student who wants to lure you,” ASP Isiwu told students.

The command said the initiative reflects its commitment to preventing crime through public enlightenment, early intervention and constructive engagement with young people, rather than relying solely on law enforcement.

As part of efforts to encourage education, police distributed exercise books to students to support their academic activities and promote positive learning environment.

The students, in excitement, thanked the police for the outreach, promising to stay away from cultism and drugs.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, reiterated the command’s commitment to protecting children, promoting safer schools and strengthening collaboration with school authorities, parents, community leaders and other stakeholders.

He called on parents, teachers and members of the public to remain vigilant and report cases of child abuse, exploitation, cultism and other criminal activities to appropriate authorities.

“The best way to police is to catch them young and educate them before criminals deceive them. We will not wait until they join cult or start using drugs before we act,” CP Ajo said.

Theoutreach forms part of Cross River State Police Command’s broader efforts to promote child protection, encourage positive values among young people and prevent crime through community-based policing.

The school principal, Rev. Sr. Maria, commended the police for the initiative, describing it as timely, given the increasing cases of cultism and drug abuse among teenagers in Calabar.

She urged the police to extend the programme to other schools across the state.