Akintoye Leads PCRC Safe Schools Campaign Against Cultism, Drug Abuse, Cybercrime

By Joseph Sunday

Worried by the rising cases of cultism, drug abuse and cybercrime among students, the Police Community Relations Committee (PCRC) has launched its nationwide Safe Schools Club campaign.

The campaign, spearheaded by Akintoye, seeks to entrench safety consciousness, discipline and positive values in schools across the federation.

The programme, themed “Catch Them Young,” is being championed by the National Coordinator of the Safe Schools Club Project, Chief Amb. Prince Samuel Olaoluwa Akintoye.

According to Akintoye, the initiative aligns with the vision of the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Olatunji Disu, and has the full backing of the PCRC National Chairman, Alhaji Mogaji Ibraheem Olaniyan.

Akintoye said the intervention became necessary following the increasing exposure of young people to cultism, drug abuse, bullying, cybercrime, examination malpractice, violence and other social vices threatening their future.

“The Catch Them Young initiative is designed to build trust between students, schools and security agencies while promoting safer and more disciplined learning environments,” he said. “Crime does not respect any individual or nation. We must join hands today to stop crime in our society by catching them young.”

The Safe Schools Club will focus on safety education, leadership development, mentorship, patriotism, respect for constituted authority, peaceful coexistence and community development.

As part of its implementation strategy, PCRC officials and resource persons will visit public and private schools across the country for sensitization campaigns, interactive sessions, anti-drug abuse programmes, career guidance seminars, essay competitions, debates and mentorship sessions. The visits will also lead to the establishment and inauguration of Safe Schools Clubs in participating schools.

Akintoye explained that the strategy involves identifying schools, securing management approval, scheduling activities, engaging qualified facilitators and monitoring impact to ensure sustainability.

Expected outcomes include improved safety awareness among students, reduction in social vices, strengthened community policing, better intelligence gathering, improved police-student relations and grooming of responsible future leaders.

He disclosed that branded educational materials and souvenirs bearing the IGP’s image and the PCRC insignia will be distributed to inspire students and reinforce positive values.

The PCRC has called on school managements, Parent-Teacher Associations, security agencies, government institutions, NGOs, community leaders and other stakeholders to partner with it for the success of the programme.

In a related development, the PCRC National Chairman, Alhaji Mogaji Ibraheem Olaniyan, has intensified advocacy for the initiative.

During a courtesy visit to the National Assembly in Abuja, Olaniyan led a delegation to Hon. Kayode Fuad Laguda, Chairman, House Committee on Polytechnic Institutions, to seek legislative partnership. Hon. Laguda commended the initiative and pledged his full support.

Similarly, during an advocacy visit to the Nigeria Police Force Headquarters in Abuja, the delegation was received by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Iniedu Anietie Okokon, who reaffirmed the commitment of the Police to school safety and pledged institutional support for the Safe Schools Club nationwide.

Akintoye was formally appointed as National Coordinator, PCRC Safe Schools Club, during the 42nd Anniversary Celebration of the PCRC held in Abuja on Tuesday, May 7. The appointment letter was presented by DIG Kenechukwu Onwuemele, DIG in charge of Logistics and Supply, on behalf of the Inspector-General of Police.

The appointment was announced in an official communiqué signed by Victor George, DGS, PCRC Bode Thomas Division.