Cross River: Police move against cultism, campus violence

The Cross River State Police Command has announced plans to establish the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices, POCACOV, at the University of Calabar , UNICAL, as part of measures to tackle cultism, violence, drug abuse and other crimes on campus.

The Commissioner of Police, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, disclosed this when the Vice Chancellor of UNICAL, Prof. Offiong Offiong, and members of his management team visited him at the Command headquarters in Calabar.

Ordue said the initiative would provide a proactive platform for sensitisation, intelligence gathering and engagement with students and other young people to prevent crime and other social vices.

He also called for stronger engagement with youths ahead of the forthcoming elections, warning against political thuggery, online incitement, digital thuggery and other forms of youth-driven violence.

The police boss said the Command would continue to adopt community policing, crime prevention and intelligence-led strategies in partnership with tertiary institutions to protect lives and property.

He stressed the need for early intervention and sustained collaboration between university authorities, students and security agencies to address emerging security threats.

Responding, the UNICAL Vice Chancellor, Prof. Offiong Offiong, expressed the university’s readiness to strengthen its partnership with the Police Command, particularly in preventing cultism, violence and other security threats.

He said the university would continue to work with security agencies to safeguard students, staff and other members of the university community and ensure a peaceful environment for teaching, learning and research.

Meanwhile, the University of Cross River State (UNICROSS) has concluded a two-week intensive training for prospective security personnel as part of efforts to strengthen security across its campuses.

The training, conducted in collaboration with the Nigeria Police Force through the university’s Internal Security Unit, included physical fitness drills, medical screening, security instruction and public relations training.

The candidates were assessed on their discipline, alertness and preparedness for campus security duties, while the public relations component focused on professional interaction with students, staff and host communities.

The university said the prospective recruits would also undergo formal examinations, with only candidates who meet the required physical, medical, security and examination standards to be considered for appointment.

The Vice Chancellor of UNICROSS, Prof. Francisca Bassey, monitored the exercise, while the Chief Security Officer, Superintendent Iwara Ibiang (rtd), coordinated the training.

The university said the recruitment exercise was aimed at strengthening security for teaching, learning, research and other activities across its campuses.