The Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, has approved the appointment of SP Orvenonne Ikwen as the new National Coordinator of the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV).
Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, said the appointment reflects the IGP’s determination to strengthen non-kinetic, intelligence-led, and community-driven strategies in tackling cultism and other emerging social vices across the country.
According to Hundeyin, POCACOV remains a central component of the Force’s preventive policing framework, designed to promote early intervention, behavioural change, and strong community partnerships.
“The IGP believes that crime prevention must go beyond arrests and prosecution. With SP Ikwen’s appointment, the Force is deepening its commitment to citizen-centred policing, public trust, and proactive engagement,” he stated.
SP Ikwen, a seasoned police officer and development practitioner, brings extensive academic and professional expertise to the role. She holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science, specialising in Artificial Intelligence and Data Science, from the University of Calabar, and has contributed to several technology-driven policing initiatives, public relations programmes, and behavioural change campaigns.
Hundeyin described her as a multi-skilled professional whose background in strategic communication, research, and inter-agency collaboration will be valuable to the national campaign.
“Her experience positions her to elevate POCACOV’s reach, especially in schools, communities, and youth platforms where early intervention is most critical,” he said.
As National Coordinator, Ikwen is expected to expand POCACOV’s engagements across institutions of higher learning, grassroots communities, and digital platforms. Her mandate includes promoting preventive responses to cultism, drug abuse, gender-based violence, cyber vulnerabilities, misinformation, and other social vices threatening public safety.
The IGP also urged her to deepen partnerships with community leaders, youth groups, civil society organisations, and educational institutions that have supported POCACOV since its inception.
“The Inspector General has charged SP Ikwen to explore innovative, technology-backed strategies for crime prevention and to work closely with stakeholders who share the vision of safer communities,” Hundeyin added.
The Nigeria Police Force reaffirmed its commitment to modern, technology-driven policing and sustained public engagement as key tools in combating crime nationwide.
