The Nigerian Peace Corps Establishment Bill needs to be passed by the Federal Government immediately in order to reduce crime in the nation, according to Mr. Alabi Razak, Assistant Controller, Nigerian Correctional Service, who is in charge of the Medium Security Custodial Centre in Otukpo, Benue State.
He made the call on Saturday while serving as host to Ambassador Dickson Akoh, National Commandant of the Nigerian Peace Corps, who was leading a delegation of officers and men from the Corps to the facility to visit, encourage, and free some inmates as part of the Corps’ activities to mark her 24th anniversary.
The Peace Corps, according to ACC Razak, is a surefire way to stop the social degradation brought on by unemployment.
“We anticipate that when young people are working, they won’t have time to consider committing a crime, and with that, the insecurity brought on by criminality will shrink to its minimal minimum,” he said.
He praised the National Commandant of the Peace Corps and the organization for the good work done thus far and urged them to keep up the fight because very soon they will reap the rewards of their labor.
The Nigerian Correctional Service was commended by Ambassador Dickson Akoh, National Commandant of the Peace Corps of Nigeria, for providing the Corps with the chance to help people.
He pointed out that crime is a social effect of young people’s irresponsibility in society.
Therefore, he said, “The prisoners we are rescuing today will not only be freed but will also be recruited into the Corps as it will keep them occupied.
The events commemorating the Corps’ 24th Anniversary included releasing prisoners, reorienting them, rehabbing them, and reintegrating them into society, according to Akoh.
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According to him, “as part of its humanitarian gestures, the Corps had over 14 inmates released from the Suleja Correctional Service three years ago and had wished to do same here, but based on our interaction with the Medium Security Custodial Centre here in Otukpo through our Legal Consultant Barrister Omale Omale, we can only free 4 inmates who are of fewer offenses.”
Ambassador Akoh stated he was held in Kirikiri, Suleja, and Kuje Prisons not for committing any crimes, but rather to prevent him from continuing the Peace Corps fight. He added that he appreciated the work of the Correctional Service’s staff.
Speaking to the prisoners, Akoh urged them to make the most of their time behind bars by changing for the better so that when they are released and returned to society, they won’t commit crimes that might land them back in jail.
He counseled them to view their detention as a corrective measure intended to help them recover rather than as a license to kill.
He urged kindhearted people to help the Correctional Service improve its infrastructure and other aspects of its operations.
Moro Benjamin, who spoke on behalf of the released prisoners, expressed his joy and gratitude to the National Commandant and the Peace Corps for releasing him and 3 other prisoners and giving them the chance to join the Corps.
