How Rivers State Police Are Mobilizing Youths to Shun Cultism and Other Vices

POCACOV stands for Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Social Vices. It’s a non-kinetic community policing program in Rivers State that uses education, advocacy, and partnerships instead of force. The initiative aims to redirect youth energy from crime to productivity and peace. It teaches students to recognize and reject cultism recruiting tactics, supports de-radicalization and rehabilitation, and partners with schools, parents, religious leaders, and NGOs to build community ownership of safety. POCACOV also advocates policy awareness of anti-cultism laws, changes the narrative toward education and skills, and provides practical “7 Shields” for students—knowledge, association, courage, purpose, digital wisdom, discipline, and service. Teachers and parents get guidelines for early detection, counseling clubs, and consistent discipline. The program promises no student arrests, only help exiting cults and accessing mentorship. Young people are urged: choose education, choose life, and be today’s leaders.

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