…as Commandant assures residents of adequate security
By Demola Atobaba, Ado-Ekiti
The efforts of the Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN), Ekiti State Command towards ensuring that criminal activities are reduced to barest minimum in Ekiti State has begun to yield positive results.
This followed the command arrest of one Ademola Tope who was caught stealing household materials in Ajebamidele area of Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.
Tope who claimed to be a native of Ado-Ekiti from Aroba family of Omisanjana area of Ado-Ekiti was caught around 9:40am on Wednesday by an officer of the Peace Corps of Nigeria with the help of residents of the area.
The suspect who was weeping profusely said the death of his mother pushed him into the act and that this was his first time stealing peoples’ properties.
He was thereafter handedover to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) for further investigation.
Properties found in the possession of Mr. Tope include, Hot plates, Hangers,Gas Cylinders, Kitchen Sockets and many other items.
Speaking with Journalists in his office in Ado-Ekiti, the Corps Commandant, Patriot Mathew Okotie said the suspect was caught by one of his officers.
“The corp member saw the suspect with a very heavy bag and challenged him and he immediately became jittery as he could not explain how he came into possession of the properties.
On cross examination, the suspect confessed to the crime and even took the officers to where he stole all the items, while the mob were prevented from lynching him.
Patriot Okotie highlighted the objectives of the Nigeria Peace Corps as humanitarian and to provide adequate security in the society.
“We have embarked on various humanitarian projects across the 16 local government apart from ensuring peace in the state.
Sometimes ago, we fixed some roads here in Ado-Ekiti and we received commendations even up to Abuja. We are also in partnership with the Ekiti State government during the monthly sanitation exercise and we are also ready to do more.”
On the Corps recognition and documentation by the federal government, Okotie maintained that the Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) has come to stay with the approval of both the House Representatives and that of the Senate while only awaiting the final confirmation from presidential signatory which he said will become a reality soon.