The Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), Ogun State Command, has intensified efforts to combat cultism, substance abuse and other social vices among young people by engaging about 180 secondary school students in a leadership and crime prevention summit in Ifo, Ogun State.

The initiative, organised in collaboration with The Global Citizens NG, was held during the 2026 All Youth/Secondary Schools Leadership Summit at Star Diamond School Hall, Ifo.

The event attracted students from six secondary schools, alongside parents, school administrators and professionals from various fields.

Speaking at the summit, the Ogun State Coordinator of POCACOV, ASP Oluborode Opeyemi, said the campaign forms part of the Nigeria Police Force’s non-kinetic strategy for crime prevention through early engagement, value reorientation and youth empowerment.

He explained that the initiative is aimed at protecting young people from the dangers of cultism, substance abuse and deceptive recruitment tactics employed by criminal groups.

According to him, the summit’s theme, “Personal Leadership and Its Role in Building a Safe and Secure Society,” highlights the importance of self-discipline, integrity and responsible decision-making among young people.
Oluborode urged the students to take responsibility for their thoughts, actions and future, warning that a lack of self-leadership could expose them to peer pressure, criminal influence and other social vices.

He noted that POCACOV’s “Catch Them Young” initiative remains a critical component of its crime prevention strategy, stressing that early intervention is key to building safer communities and reducing youth involvement in crime.

The summit featured a keynote address by Dr. Julius Osimen on leadership in a global context, while mental health advocate Mrs. Florence Freddy and education scholar Mr. Taiwo Oyedele delivered presentations on psychological resilience, character development and positive life choices.

During an interactive session, parents and school administrators were encouraged to strengthen monitoring and mentoring systems capable of identifying and addressing behavioural patterns that could predispose students to cultism, drug abuse and other criminal activities.

The programme concluded with participating students taking a pledge to reject cultism, substance abuse and all forms of criminality.

They also pledged to become ambassadors of positive values by promoting peace, responsible leadership and safe communities within their schools and beyond.