For years, Abdul-Rahman Yusuf lived in the shadows, caught in a dangerous web of drug addiction and gang violence. His story is not unique, like many young Nigerians, he fell into crime as an escape from poverty and hopelessness. But today, he sits in a crowded hall in Lagos, listening intently to a message that could change his life.

“Crime does not pay,” a police officer says from the stage, his voice firm but compassionate. “There is another way.”

This message is at the heart of a new initiative launched by Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Egbetokun, a preventive policing strategy aimed at tackling crime before it happens, rather than simply punishing offenders.

The program, known as the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), is not about raids, arrests, or prison sentences. Instead, it’s about rehabilitation, mentorship, and education, a fresh approach that is already transforming lives.

A New Kind of Policing

At the POCACOV event in Lagos State, young men and women, some with past brushes with the law, sit alongside parents, religious leaders, and community elders. The event’s theme, “Name, Fame, and Shame: The Consequences of One’s Actions in the Hereafter”, was carefully chosen to resonate with the mostly Muslim audience, as it coincides with Ramadan, a time of reflection and repentance.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) in charge of operations, Lagos Command, Fatai Tijani, represented the IGP, reinforcing the idea that crime is not just a law enforcement issue but a societal problem that requires a collective solution.

“We cannot arrest our way out of crime,” said Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Olabisi Okuwobi, the National Coordinator of POCACOV.

“That’s why we are here, to prevent crime by engaging with the people who matter most: the youths, their parents, and community leaders.”

The initiative is non-kinetic, meaning it doesn’t rely on force. Instead, it focuses on sensitization, rehabilitation, and support programs to steer young people away from crime.

A Life on the Edge: Abdul-Rahman’s Story

Abdul-Rahman, now 24, grew up in one of Lagos’ rougher neighborhoods. He was only 15 when he joined a cult group, drawn in by the promise of protection and power. By 17, he was addicted to drugs. By 20, he had been arrested twice, once for robbery, once for drug possession.

“When I was in the police cell, I thought my life was over,” he admits. “I had no job, no future. I thought crime was my only option.”

But today, Abdul-Rahman has a different perspective. Through POCACOV, he has enrolled in a skills acquisition program, learning barbing and phone repair. The program also connects young people like him with mentors and community leaders, showing them that there is life beyond crime.

“I didn’t think the police could care about people like me,” he says. “They always chased us, arrested us. But this is different they actually want to help.”Faith, Family, and Redemption

A key component of the initiative is its faith-based approach. Ramadan was chosen as the starting point because, as ACP Okuwobi explains, even the most hardened criminals tend to pause their activities during this holy month.

“If they can stop crime during Ramadan, they can stop permanently,” she said.

“We are here to help them make that change last beyond the fasting period.”

POCACOV doesn’t just target youths, it also engages parents, religious leaders, and community elders.

“The home is the first school,” said Imam Abdul-Lateef Suleiman, one of the speakers at the event.

“If we do not guide our children, the streets will misguide them.”

Parents are encouraged to take an active role in their children’s lives, recognizing early warning signs of criminal behavior and intervening before it’s too late.

Sustainability and Support

One of the strongest aspects of POCACOV is its long-term support system.

The program offers:

Skills acquisition and vocational training for youths looking for an alternative to crime.

Scholarships and mentorship programs for those willing to change.

Rehabilitation support for former gang members and drug addicts.

Strict law enforcement for those who refuse to reform.

The “carrot-and-stick” approach means that while those seeking change receive help and guidance, those who continue committing crimes will still face the full weight of the law.

“If you are in a cult, renounce it,” Okuwobi urged. “If you need help, we will support you. But if you refuse to change, the law will take its course.”

A New Dawn for Nigerian Youths

For years, crime prevention in Nigeria has focused on raids, arrests, and imprisonment. But IGP Egbetokun’s new approach is rewriting the narrative, proving that crime prevention starts long before a crime is committed.

As the event ends, Abdul-Rahman walks away with a renewed sense of hope. In his hands is a pamphlet on skill acquisition, a Quran gifted by the police, and, most importantly, a second chance.

For him, and for thousands of Nigerian youths like him, this initiative is more than just a program, it’s a path to redemption.