The National Commandant of the Peace Corps of Nigeria, Dickson Akoh, has disclosed plans by the organization to collaborate with security agencies in tackling kidnapping, banditry and other security threats affecting educational institutions across the country.
Dr. Akoh made this known during a news briefing in Abuja, where he expressed concern over the rising cases of attacks on schools, including the invasion and abduction of students and staff members.
According to him, the worsening insecurity in the country has made it necessary for personnel of the Peace Corps to work closely with national security agencies in safeguarding schools nationwide.
He stated that the organization would commence a comprehensive nationwide personnel revalidation exercise aimed at strengthening its operations and ensuring effective service delivery.
Dr. Akoh explained that the exercise would also help determine the current academic qualifications of officers and reposition the organization for greater efficiency.
The National Commandant noted that members of the corps are strategically positioned across communities in the country and can serve as reliable sources of intelligence for security agencies and the Federal Government.
He said the organization currently maintains a strong presence in schools, particularly in the Federal Capital Territory, adding that there had been no recorded cases of crime or security breaches in institutions where Peace Corps personnel operate.
Akoh further revealed that the corps has continued to seek collaboration with the Federal Ministry of Education to expand its security support services to more schools across the country.
He added that the revalidation exercise would serve as a foundation for broader structural reforms designed to build a modern, disciplined and agile organization capable of supporting national security efforts.
The Peace Corps boss also disclosed that over 187,000 officers had been trained nationwide, stressing that the organization maintains a high standard of discipline and professionalism among its personnel.
According to him, officers undergo orientation and capacity-building programmes facilitated by agencies including the Nigeria Police Force, the Department of State Services, the Federal Road Safety Corps, the National Drug Law Enforcement Agency and the Ministry of Justice.
He said the training programmes are aimed at improving the officers’ social awareness, responsibilities and commitment toward advancing national peace and security.
