Efforts at curbing students’ involvement in drug abuse, cultism and electoral violence received a boost Monday, 25th May, 2026, in Lagos, as the Apapa Iganmu Local Council Development Area (LCDA) partnered the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Violence (POCACOV) to organise a sensitisation programme for students of junior and senior secondary schools in the area.
Themed ‘Your Futures Is Not For Sale: Say No To Election Violence, Cultism & Drug Abuse’, the programme held at Iganmu Senior High School, attracted students of 13 schools drawn from Apapa Iganmu and Coker Aguda LCDAs.
Speaking at the event, the Chairman of Apapa Iganmu LCDA, Hon. Jimoh Olawale Saliu, lamented that most parents have abandoned their responsibilities to their children, causing their involvement in vices.
He noted that parents have a greater role to play in shaping the future of their children, adding that pair group do influence children in joining bad gang.
His words, “Most parents are not playing this role in taking good care of their children, and that’s why pair group influence them, using juicy things to lure them in joining bad gang”.
“You should change your narrative and be determined to be a good citizens for the state and Nigeria as a whole”.
As part of plans to ensure commitment, Jimoh hinted that arrangements have been concluded to keep the students busy during the coming holidays with a summer lesson, including provision forT- shirts and writing materials at the expense of the Council.
In addition, he asked the the Tutor General/Permanent Secretary of the Education District to organise a debate competition for the schools with the theme of the sensitisation programme, assuring that the best performing students will be handsomely rewarded.
While counselling the students on preventive measures against involvement in vices, the LCDA boss urged them to choose friends wisely, avoid pressure groups,stay focused on their education dream and speak up when in trouble.
“To prevent cultism and drug abuse, there are important steps every young person must take.
“First, choose your friends wisely. Show me your friends, and I will tell you who you are becoming. Avoid friends who pressure you into wrongdoing.
“Second, stay focused on your education and your dreams. A student with vision is less likely to be destroyed by distraction.
Third, speak up when you are troubled. Talk to your parents, teachers, counselors, religious leaders, or trusted adults whenever you feel confused or pressured.
“Fourth, avoid places and activities that expose you to dangerous influences.
“Fifth, engage in productive activities such as sports, reading, leadership programmes, vocational skills, and community service.
“Sixth, learn to say NO confidently. Saying no to drugs or cultism is not weakness; it is wisdom and strength”.
In his speech, the Divisional Police Officer (DPO) Orile Division, CSP Oluwaseun Philips, who represented the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State Command, CP Tijani Fatai noted that one of the cankerworms that has eaten deep into the students is the issue of cultism.
The DPO emphasised that one of the units set up by the Inspector General of the Police is the POCACOV unit, adding that all the DPOs have been mandated to support the unit in the discharge of the task of sensitising students against cultism and catch them young.
His words, “This unit is one of the best departments set up by the Inspector General of Police to sensitise students against cultism, drug abuse and other violence.
“One of the cankerworms that has eaten deep into the students is the issue of cultism. We are here to tell the students to say no to hard drug, say no to violence and cultism. We are also here to tell the students that police is their friend “.
Speaking at the event, the Lagos Coordinator of POCACOV, SP Olivia Ugochukwu explained that the programme is the police efforts at teaching the students against involvement in cultism, drug abuse and other violence.
“What we do is to teach them what they need to know in order not to get involved in vices. We have been collaborating with community leaders to bring out the students for us to sensitise them and we also monitor them through feed back”.
Highlight of the event included peep talks by a mental health medical practitioner, Dr. Akinlade Olatubosun and the representative of the Oba of Ijora and Iganmu Kingdom, Chief Abdulhakeem Oladipupo against cultism drug abuse and other violence.