The Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), in collaboration with the National Association of Nigerian Students (NANS), has held a Peace Advocacy Walk in Osun State as part of efforts to prevent electoral violence ahead of the 2026 Osun State Governorship Election.
The initiative is in line with the community-oriented policing vision of the Inspector-General of Police, Olatunji Rilwan Disu, which places emphasis on proactive, intelligence-led and preventive approaches to policing.
The peace walk brought together police personnel, students, youths and other stakeholders who marched through designated routes to sensitise members of the public on the need for peaceful participation in the electoral process.
Participants displayed placards carrying messages such as “Say No to Electoral Violence” and “Vote, Not Fight,” while calling for tolerance, responsible citizenship and respect for the choices of other voters.
The organisers said the exercise was designed to mobilise young people, who constitute a significant segment of the electorate, and discourage them from being recruited or manipulated into acts of violence before, during or after the election.
Speaking during the exercise, the National Coordinator of POCACOV, SP Orvenonne Ikwen, Ph.D., urged youths and students to reject attempts by individuals or groups to use them as instruments of electoral violence.
Ikwen stressed that personal, political or group interests should never be allowed to become justification for violence, destruction of property, intimidation or disruption of the democratic process.
She reaffirmed POCACOV’s commitment to sustained engagement with young people, communities and relevant stakeholders in promoting peaceful participation and strengthening security awareness before, during and after elections.
The initiative also reflects the Nigeria Police Force’s broader preventive policing strategy, which seeks to identify and address potential security threats before they escalate into violence.
Through community engagement and partnership with youth organisations, the police aim to strengthen public trust while encouraging citizens to play an active role in maintaining peace and security within their communities.
The Peace Advocacy Walk further reinforces the Nigeria Police Force’s commitment under IGP Disu to creating a safe and secure environment for democratic participation and ensuring that the 2026 Osun governorship election is conducted in an atmosphere conducive to peaceful civic engagement.
The police also urged residents, particularly youths and students, to remain law-abiding, shun inflammatory activities and report credible information about planned acts of violence to the appropriate security authorities.
The collaboration between POCACOV and NANS is expected to contribute to continued grassroots sensitisation and youth mobilisation as Osun State prepares for the governorship election.
