The Bayelsa State Police Command has launched a Yuletide and Christmas campaign against cultism, illicit drug use, and other social vices across the state. The campaign, carried out under the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) programme, featured a colourful and energetic road walk through parts of Yenagoa.
The procession commenced at the Bayelsa State Police Command Headquarters, passed through Ovom, and attracted curious onlookers as it made its way to the Swali Ultra-Modern Market.
Along the route, police officers displayed placards bearing bold messages against cultism, drug abuse, and other criminal activities, reinforcing the campaign’s theme, “Crime-Free Christmas.”
The sensitisation exercise climaxed at the Swali Market, where officers engaged traders, shoppers, and residents in English, Pidgin, and local dialects to ensure the message reached people from all backgrounds.
Speaking during the exercise, the Bayelsa State POCACOV Coordinator, DSP Iboi Isimhen, emphasised the dangers of drug abuse and cultism, warning that such vices often pave the way for other antisocial acts that threaten public peace and security.
One of the residents, Mr. Stephen Anyanwu, commended the police for putting proactive measures in place to guarantee a safe and secure Christmas celebration, noting that the initiative would boost public confidence.
The campaign also encouraged residents to embrace positive values, watch out for one another, and promptly report suspicious activities to security agencies. With music, chants, and the visible presence of law enforcement officers, the event struck both festive and serious notes, reminding residents that community safety is a shared responsibility.