Egbetokun Deploys AI-Powered Strategy, Names SP Ikwen as New Face of Nigeria’s War Against Cultism
By Passman Akpos
The Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, PhD., NPM, has approved the appointment of Superintendent of Police Orvenonne Ikwen as the new National Coordinator of the Police Campaign Against Cultism and Other Vices (POCACOV), the Nigeria Police Force’s flagship non-kinetic initiative for combating cultism and related social vices.
In a statement issued on Saturday, 22 November 2025, by the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Benjamin Hundeyin, the IGP said the appointment reflects the Force’s renewed commitment to modern, intelligence-led, technology-driven, and citizen-centred policing that prioritises prevention, early intervention, and public trust.
SP Ikwen, a seasoned police officer and strategic communication specialist, holds a Ph.D. in Computer Science with a focus on Artificial Intelligence and Data Science from the University of Calabar. She has received recognition for her contributions to technology-driven policing reforms, public relations, behavioural change communication, research, and inter-agency collaboration. She is also a member of the Institute of Strategic Management of Nigeria (ISMN) and the Institute of Conflict Management & Negotiation Analyst (ICMNA).
The IGP said her appointment is expected to inject fresh momentum into POCACOV’s nationwide campaign, especially in schools, higher institutions, communities, and youth networks. Her mandate includes deepening preventive policing interventions and tackling emerging threats such as cyber vulnerabilities, misinformation, substance abuse, gender-based violence, and cult-related recruitment.
Egbetokun tasked the new coordinator to broaden stakeholder engagement and explore innovative approaches that can reinforce public safety through collaboration with educational institutions, traditional and community leaders, civil society, youth organisations and long-standing partners of the campaign.
The Force reassured Nigerians of its unwavering commitment to a policing model that is people-friendly, rule-of-law compliant, and anchored on community partnership.
