IGP Appoints SP Orvenonne Ikwen as POCACOV National Coordinator to Strengthen Fight Against Cultism and Social Vices

The Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD, NPM, has officially appointed Superintendent of Police Orvenonne Ikwen as the new National Coordinator of the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV). This key appointment signals a renewed commitment by the Nigeria Police Force to adopt modern, intelligence-led, and community-oriented policing strategies to combat the persistent challenges posed by cultism and other societal vices.

POCACOV represents a strategic initiative by the police force to prioritize preventive and non-kinetic approaches in addressing the menace of youth cultism, drug abuse, cybercrime, gender-based violence, misinformation, and other emerging social threats. Under the guidance of SP Ikwen, the campaign aims to deepen its outreach to educational institutions, youth platforms, community groups, and various stakeholders across Nigeria.

SP Orvenonne Ikwen brings a formidable blend of operational policing experience, academic excellence, and strategic communication expertise to her new role. A holder of a Ph.D. in Computer Science with a focus on Artificial Intelligence and Data Science from the University of Calabar, she is well-positioned to leverage technology-driven policing methods and innovative crime prevention tools. Additionally, she is an esteemed member of the Institute of Strategic Management of Nigeria (ISMN) and the Institute of Conflict Management & Negotiation Analyst (ICMNA).

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In accepting her new responsibilities, SP Ikwen is tasked with expanding the campaign’s preventive policing framework by fostering strong collaboration with traditional authorities, educational institutions, civil society organizations, and youth groups. The IGP has urged her to initiate fresh and participatory strategies that amplify public trust, promote early intervention, and enhance national security through youth empowerment and community-focused advocacy.

This appointment aligns with IGP Egbetokun’s vision of a people-friendly police force that is technologically enabled, rule-of-law compliant, and committed to safeguarding Nigerians through proactive and intelligence-led crime prevention.

CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, Force Public Relations Officer, emphasized that SP Ikwen’s leadership will catalyze the expansion of POCACOV’s mission nationwide, inspiring diverse sectors to unite against the scourge of cultism and other vices that threaten the social fabric of Nigeria.