The Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue
The Commissioner of Police, Cross River State Command, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue has called for a whole-of-society approach to preventing drug abuse and drug-related crime among young people.
Speaking through the Command’s PPRO, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata, at the inaugural Cross River State Drug-Free School Stakeholders Conference organised by the Lead Rise Foundation, held the Calabar, the CP said drug-related criminality extends beyond law enforcement.
He noted that substance abuse increases young people’s vulnerability to violence, exploitation, cultism, robbery and other crimes.
CP Ordue stressed that police response must go beyond arrests to include prevention, intelligence sharing, early intervention, community engagement, and disruption of criminal networks.
He highlighted the role of the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) in sensitising and engaging youths against drug abuse, and violence, adding that reaching young people before criminal networks do is critical.
The Commissioner urged schools, parents, traditional and religious institutions, civil society groups, and the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA) to work closely with the Police, noting that no single institution can win the fight alone.
He reaffirmed the commitment of the Cross River State Police Command to be proactive, intelligence-led and community-oriented policing to protect young people and prevent crime.
CP Ordue called on stakeholders to turn the conference resolutions into sustained action, stating that “when we protect our young people, we protect the future of Nigeria.
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