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 in the state, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, disclosed this during a meeting with the university’s Vice Chancellor, Prof. Offiong Offiong, and members of the institution’s management team in Calabar.
Ordue said the command would establish a Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) unit within the university to promote awareness, prevention and direct engagement with students.
According to him, the initiative will address cult-related activities, violence, drug abuse and other social vices that could threaten the safety and welfare of students and members of the university community.
The police commissioner also expressed concern about youth involvement in violence ahead of forthcoming elections. He said the command would increase engagement with young people to discourage political thuggery, digital thuggery, online incitement and other forms of election-related violence.
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He explained that the command would strengthen community policing through partnerships, preventive measures and intelligence-led operations, noting that educational institutions have an important role to play in crime prevention and youth development.
Ordue further stressed the importance of early intervention in identifying potential security threats before they escalate, while assuring the university management that the police would remain committed to protecting lives and maintaining peace within and around the institution.
He added that the command would continue working with UNICAL and other stakeholders to promote public safety, responsible citizenship and a peaceful academic environment.
In response, the Vice Chancellor, Prof. Offiong Offiong, reaffirmed the university’s willingness to strengthen its partnership with the police command.
He said the institution would continue to support initiatives aimed at protecting students, staff and other members of the university community while ensuring a safe and conducive environment for academic activities.
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