The Commissioner of Police in Cross River State, CP Ajo Geoffrey Ordue, has called for a stronger collaboration among government agencies, schools, parents, communities and other stakeholders to prevent drug abuse and drug-related crimes among young people in the state.
CP Ajo made the call on Thursday, September 10, 2026, during the Inaugural Cross River State Drug-Free School Stakeholders Conference, organised by the Lead Rise Foundation and held at Metropolitan Hotel, Calabar.
The Commissioner, who spoke on “The Role of the Nigeria Police Force in Preventing Drug-Related Crime and Protecting Young People,” delivered his keynote address through the Police Public Relations Officer, ASP Eitokpah Sunday Akata.
According to the Commissioner, the growing challenge of substance abuse should not be viewed solely as a law-enforcement issue, stressing that drug abuse can expose young people to violence, exploitation, cultism, robbery and other forms of criminal behaviour.
He said the police response must therefore go beyond arrest and enforcement to include prevention, intelligence gathering and sharing, early intervention, community engagement and the disruption of criminal networks involved in the drug trade.
CP Ajo noted that preventing young people from becoming involved in drugs and drug-related crime should be regarded as an important policing achievement.
The Commissioner also highlighted the preventive role of the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV) in engaging young people and sensitising them against drug abuse, cultism, violence and other social vices.
He stressed the need to reach young people early, before criminal elements and drug networks have the opportunity to influence them.
CP Ajo urged schools, parents and communities to support sustained preventive programmes that would educate young people about the dangers of substance abuse while providing positive alternatives and stronger support systems.
He further called for increased collaboration between the Nigeria Police Force, National Drug Law Enforcement Agency (NDLEA), schools, parents, traditional and religious institutions, civil society organisations and young people.
The Commissioner maintained that no single institution could successfully tackle drug-related crime alone, making collective action necessary to address the problem from its roots.
The Cross River State Police Command, he said, remains committed to proactive, intelligence-led and community-oriented policing, while strengthening partnerships with relevant stakeholders to prevent crime and protect young people across the state.
CP Ajo also challenged stakeholders at the conference to move beyond discussions and translate the resolutions into sustained action in schools and communities.
He emphasised that protecting young people from drugs and criminal influences was directly connected to protecting the future of the country.
“When we protect our young people, we protect the future of Nigeria,” the Commissioner said.
The conference brought together stakeholders concerned about creating safer and drug-free environments for young people in Cross River State.
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