Metro
POCACOV: IGP Tasks Residents on Friendly Preventive Policing Principles
The Inspector General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has called on Nigerians, particularly the youths, to take the advantage of ‘second chance’ opportunities in the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) initiatives.
The IGP’s position was made known by the newly appointed National Coordinator for POCACOV, CSP Olabisi Okuwobi, in a statement she personally signed, and made available to the National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP) detailing her presentation when she featured on Police Radio 99.1FM, Abuja.
She said that the IGP has deep interest in the welfare of Nigerian youths, hence his efforts to strengthen POCACOV’s capacity with best international practices in preventive policing principles.
“IGP Egbetokun thereby calls on cultists to renounce their membership in unlawful groups and surrender their weapons.
“The IGP promises to facilitate a new lease of life to vulnerable criminals and give them the opportunity to become better citizens again,” she stated further.
With the new initiatives, the IGP is convinced that the root causes of crime will be better addressed while it will also be more cost effective than dealing with a full-blown criminality.
The Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices will also exhibit empathy and emotional intelligence through which advocacy, awareness creation, sensitization and re-orientation via communities and school outreaches, among others, will be carried out.
The POCACOV initiatives aim at the implementation of targeted strategies to combat cultism, misuse and abuse of drugs, crime and social vices through preventive measures, proactive community engagement, in-depth collaboration with educational institutions, sports, entertainment industry, digital media circles, youth development and rehabilitation will be enhanced to foster positive police-community relations and trust-building mechanisms for the NPF.
The POCACOV National Coordinator equally enjoined perpetrators of other vices other than cultism to take advantage of the hand of friendship stretched by the police and shun unlawful practices. She revealed that POCACOV is a strong community policing and public relations tool that is very dear to the Inspector General and the Public Relations Unit of the NPF.
The Campaign further promised to be resolute in rescuing youths from the grip of cultism.
The Lagos State Command of the Nigerian Police Force has declared one Iroegbu Alexandra Chisom aka Biggy or Omoba Salvage wanted over alleged criminal conspiracy and murder, according to a Wanted Notice issued by the Deputy Commissioner of Police, SCID, Panti, Yaba, and made available to National Association of Online Security News Publishers (NAOSNP).
The notice informed that the Warrant of Arrest was issued against the suspect by the Federal High Court, Lagos.
Iirogbu, 30, is wanted for stabbing one Mr. Olusanya to death with a jackknife at Pearl Service Apartment, Lekki, Ajah, Lagos State.
Iroegbu Alexandra Chisom, according to the notice, “is Igbo by tribe, aged 30, Height 1.82, Heavily Built, oval face, long broad nose, large mouth, thick lips, good teeth, white and black eyes, dark in complexion, round chin, thick hair, large head, high forehead, deformities limping in one of the legs, very vocal in habit, normal youth dress.
“His last known address is 23 Road X Close Block 1 Flat 3 Area 1, FESTAC Town, Lagos State, Nigeria.”
“If seen, arrest and hand over to the nearest Police Station or to the Lagos State CID, Panti Lagos.’
The FRSC Lagos Sector Command’s Spokesperson, SRC Oluwadamilola Jayeola has extended hearty congratulatory messages to the duo of DSP Oluseyi B. Babaseyi and Superintendent Route Commander AD Odunsi-Oyewole, on their various appointments as the Police Public Relations Officer of the Ogun Police Command, and Public Education Officer of the FRSC Ogun Sector Command respectively.
SRC Jayeola described both appointments as well-deserved, noting that the duo bring to their new responsibilities proven professionalism, depth of experience, and strong commitment to public service.
She emphasized that effective public communication remains critical to public safety, security awareness, and trust-building, particularly in a strategic state like Ogun, which serves as a major transit corridor between Lagos and other parts of the country.
SRC Jayeola expressed confidence that the synergy between the FRSC Ogun Sector Command and the Ogun State Police Command, through their Public Relations and Public Education Officers, will further strengthen inter-agency collaboration, improve information management, and enhance public enlightenment on road safety and security matters across the state.
She assured both officers of her full support and readiness to sustain a cordial and productive working relationship, stressing that cooperation, information sharing, and mutual support among sister agencies remain vital to achieving safer roads and a more secure society.
SRC Jayeola wished Superintendent Route Commander AD Odunsi-Oyewole and DSP Oluseyi B. Babaseyi a successful tenure, marked by impact, professionalism, and excellent service delivery to the people of Ogun State.
The Nigeria Police Force (NPF) has argued that no court restrained it from enforcing the tinted glass permit regulation, maintaining that the directive remains valid until a competent judicial pronouncement rules otherwise.
Force Public Relations Officer (FPRO), CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, made the clarification while addressing journalists during the presentation of criminal suspects arrested by operatives of the Intelligence Response Team.
He stated that the police would continue enforcement of the tinted glass permit order, stressing that there had been no judicial directive halting the exercise.
Hundeyin explained that criminal groups had exploited previous pauses in enforcement to commit violent crimes, including kidnapping and armed attacks.
He cited a recent incident in Edo State where a Lexus SUV with tinted windows allegedly refused to stop at a checkpoint, leading to a pursuit during which its occupants opened fire on officers, killing a police inspector and injuring others.
He further clarified that the earlier suspension of enforcement announced by the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, had been misinterpreted by sections of the public and professional bodies, including the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA).
“The Inspector-General of Police, out of respect and understanding, temporarily suspended enforcement to give Nigerians additional time to regularise their tinted glass permits.
That decision was not based on any court order but was a discretionary move to accommodate public concerns,” Hundeyin said.
Acknowledging that the matter is before the courts, Hundeyin noted that the legal process has been slow. He stressed that, pending any contrary ruling, the police would continue enforcement.
“The position remains that enforcement continues until a court directs otherwise. At no point did any court restrain the Nigeria Police Force or the Inspector-General of Police from implementing the tinted glass permit order,” he added.
Responding to reports that the NBA may initiate contempt proceedings against the Inspector-General over the renewed enforcement, Hundeyin said the police legal department would address any action if it arises.
He reiterated that enforcement of the tinted glass permit was necessary for public safety, particularly in curbing crimes committed with vehicles whose occupants are concealed.
The police position comes amid growing debate between the Force and the Nigerian Bar Association (NBA), which has argued that the policy is unconstitutional and currently subject to litigation.
