The Cross River State Police Command has announced plans to intensify efforts against cultism, political thuggery and other forms of youth-related violence at the University of Calabar (UNICAL).
The Commissioner of Police, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, disclosed this on Tuesday when the Vice Chancellor of the university, Prof. Offiong Offiong, led members of the institution’s management team on a visit to the police command in Calabar.
Ordue said the command would establish a Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) unit within the university to provide a platform for engaging students and raising awareness about the dangers associated with cultism and other social vices.
According to the commissioner, the campaign would address issues including cultism, violence, drug abuse and other activities capable of threatening the safety and welfare of students and young people within the university community.
He also emphasised the need for stronger engagement with youths as the country prepares for forthcoming elections.
Ordue warned against the involvement of young people in political thuggery, noting that the command would also focus on emerging forms of violence such as digital thuggery and online incitement.
He said youths must be discouraged from using social media and other digital platforms to promote inflammatory messages or mobilise others for violent activities.
The commissioner explained that the police command was adopting a community-policing approach built around partnership, prevention and intelligence-led engagement.
He described educational institutions as important partners in crime prevention, stressing that effective security requires cooperation between law enforcement agencies, school authorities, students and other members of the community.
Ordue further highlighted the importance of proactive policing and early intervention, saying security threats should be identified and addressed before they develop into major incidents.
He assured the university management that the police command remained committed to protecting lives and property and maintaining peace within and around the institution.
The commissioner added that the command would continue to develop strategic partnerships with UNICAL and other relevant stakeholders to strengthen public safety and encourage responsible behaviour among young people.
Responding, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Offiong Offiong, expressed the university management’s willingness to maintain and further strengthen its relationship with the police throughout his tenure.
Offiong said the university was committed to working closely with the command to safeguard members of the university community and create a secure environment conducive to learning and academic activities.
The proposed POCACOV unit is expected to provide a more structured approach to sensitising students about cultism and other social vices while improving communication between the university community and security agencies.
The initiative also comes amid wider concerns about youth involvement in political violence and the need for security agencies and educational institutions to work together ahead of future elections.
