By Esther Onyegbula

The Lagos State Police Command, in collaboration with the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), marked this year’s Children’s Day with a powerful anti-cultism drive, reaffirming its commitment to protecting Nigerian youths from crime and social vices.

Held in Ikeja, the event drew over 1,000 students from more than 20 schools across the state, with some arriving as early as 7 a.m., a turnout praised as “massive” by organisers.

Speaking through Area Commander, Area G, ACP Vera Ameh-Akpa, the Lagos State Commissioner of Police, CP Olohundare Moshood Jimoh, said children remain “the heartbeat of society,” adding that they must be protected, educated, and empowered to grow into responsible citizens.

“This year’s theme calls on all of us, the government, parents, teachers, community leaders, and civil society, to reaffirm our commitment to upholding every right of every child,” CP Jimoh said. “We are fully committed to sensitising children and youths against cultism, drug abuse, bullying, and violence, while promoting education, sports, and entrepreneurship as positive alternatives.”

The event forms part of the Nigerian Police Force’s preventive policing initiative, led nationally by the Inspector General of Police and implemented locally by POCACOV.

ACP Olabisi Okuwobi, the national coordinator of POCACOV, stressed that prevention is more effective than prosecution in curbing crime. “Arresting and remanding offenders alone doesn’t fix the problem. Many reoffend,” she said. “We need to tackle the root causes. These children will grow up in five years and if we do our job right, they’ll make informed choices that reduce crime.”

Okuwobi also warned of new trends in cult recruitment, particularly covert methods used during birthday parties and social events. “It’s no longer like when we were in school, now they lure and forcefully initiate students at parties,” she said. “Cultism births other crimes, drug abuse, rape, kidnapping, and even murder.”

Chairman of the Lagos State chapter of POCACOV, Dr. Moses Oladimeji, underscored the dual mission of the campaign: to uphold children’s rights and to shield them from the dangers of cultism and cybercrime. “Your future is critical,” he said in his address to the students. “Don’t follow the crowd. Choose good role models and avoid paths that will destroy your life.”

The event featured debates, poetry readings, and art competitions designed to engage and inspire the young participants. Organisers described the programme as “inclusive,” with public and private schools participating in equal measure.

A highlight of the day was the appearance of Osita Collins, a repentant cultist and former national capone of a notorious campus cult group, who offered a personal testimony on the dangers of cult life.

“What the police are doing now is saving the youth before they fall into the trap I did,” Collins said. “Every bad thing you see in society today, drug addiction, rape, assault, kidnapping, has links to cultism. This campaign is a lifeline.”

He called on the media and communities nationwide to amplify the effort. “Lagos is doing well, but we need other states to follow. If we can get this right, we’ll save the future of Nigeria.”

The event, part of a nationwide Children’s Day outreach by POCACOV, positions Lagos at the forefront of the Police Force’s strategy to counter juvenile involvement in organized crime through education and early intervention.

As the children cheered, competed in debates, and displayed their artwork, the message was clear: with the right support, Nigeria’s youth can rise above the lure of crime and build a brighter, safer future.