Peace Corps Nabs 22 Year Old Man Over Hot plates, Gas Cylinder Theft...as commandant assures residents of community security

By Demola Atobaba, Ado-Ekiti

The efforts of the Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN), Ekiti State Command in ensuring criminal activities are reduced to barest minimum in Ekiti State communities has begin to yield positive results as the command has effected the arrest of one Ademola Tope who was caught stealing household utensils in Ajebamidele area of Ado-Ekiti, the state capital.

 Tope who claims to be a native of Ado-Ekiti from Aroba family of Omisanjana area of Ado-Ekiti was caught around 9:40am today by an officer of the Peace Corps of Nigeria with the help of residents of the area.

The suspect was caught while trying to escape with his booty and paraded round the street.

The suspect who was weeping profusely said the death of his mother pushed him into the act and that this will be his first time stealing peoples properties.

He was thereafter handedover to the Nigeria 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 the officer of his command while the culprit was trying to made away with a gas cylinder and other properties found in his possession.

"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 the possibility of lynching him.

He speaks further that, "The suspect has however been handedover to the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) headquarters in Ado-Ekiti for further investigation and possible arraignment.

Patriot Okotie highlighted the objectives of the  Peace Corps as to enlist, mobilise, train, orientate and provide gainful employment for the youths in order to develop them as supporting agents of social order, by providing a second line of public safety including Neighborhood Watch.

"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 transition process of the Corps from Peace Corps of Nigeria to Nigeria Peace Corps by the Federal Government, Okotie maintained that the Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN) has come to stay by the special grace of God as have just recorded another success from the Red Chamber (Senate) by the  passage of the Nigeria Peace Corps Bill very soon the the House of Representatives is going to do the needful before the final Assent by the President, which he said will become a reality soon.