*IGP pushes preventive policing, community-led crime reduction
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, has appointed SP Orvenonne Ikwen as the new National Coordinator of the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), the Nigeria Police Force’s flagship non-kinetic initiative against cultism and related social threats.
In a statement released by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the IGP said the appointment aligns with his vision for a technology-driven, intelligence-led and people-friendly policing architecture that prioritises early intervention and community partnership.
Hundeyin described SP Ikwen as a seasoned officer and development practitioner with strong credentials. She holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science with specialization in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, and has contributed to police transformation efforts, research, strategic communication and inter-agency collaborations.
As the new POCACOV helmsman, SP Ikwen will lead expanded engagements across schools, campuses, communities and youth platforms, targeting cultism, drug abuse, gender-based violence, cyber-related risks, misinformation and other vices through preventive and participatory approaches.
The IGP urged her to deploy innovative solutions and strengthen collaboration with stakeholders, organisations, community influencers, educational institutions and youth groups nationwide.