By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Police Command has intensified its community policing drive with a strategic engagement of students and school authorities, focusing on school safety, crime prevention, and responsible conduct among young people.
Confirmed in a statement issued to newsmen on Wednesday, by the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the initiative formed part of the Command’s broader crime prevention strategies.
According to him, the interactive session was held on the same day at Sacred Heart Academy, Ifite Ogwari, where officers of the Command addressed students on critical safety concerns and emerging social vices threatening the future of young people.
Leading the engagement, the Assistant Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations Department, ACP Oruru Harrison, PSC, enlightened the students on the dangers associated with cultism, drug abuse, bullying, cybercrime (popularly referred to as “Yahoo Yahoo”) and other related criminal behaviours.
The senior police officer reportedly stressed that involvement in such activities not only endangers the future of the individuals concerned but also exposes them to severe legal consequences that could permanently derail their academic and life aspirations.
ACP Harrison urged the students to remain vigilant, embrace responsible behaviour, and promptly report suspicious movements or security concerns within and around the school environment.
He further encouraged the students to build positive and cooperative relationships with law enforcement agencies, reassuring them of the Police Command’s readiness to respond swiftly to distress calls and security challenges affecting educational institutions across the state.
The Command, through the Spokesperson, emphasized that the engagement aligns with its proactive policing model, which prioritizes prevention, awareness creation, and partnership with communities over reactive law enforcement alone.
He said the Police, during the advocacy, also called on school administrators to strengthen internal security mechanisms, improve supervision, and maintain close collaboration with security agencies to proactively detect and neutralize potential threats.
The Command also reiterated its commitment to safeguarding schools and creating a secure and enabling environment conducive to academic excellence throughout Anambra State.
