Coalition demands release of Peace Corps Commandant, Akoh

A coalition of Nigerian youths, students and civil society organisations, has asked the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), Kayode Egbetokun, to immediately release the National Commandant of the Peace Corps of Nigeria (PCN), Dickson Akoh who is being allegedly held by the police.

The coalition threatened the Police with mass protests if the Peace Corps boss was not released.

They warned against the recent trend of police brutality under Egbetokun’s leadership and demanded that the commandant be released from custody.

Akoh was allegedly arrested over a dispute arising from tenancy disagreement between him and his landlord.

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At a press conference in Abuja, the coalition demanded Akoh’s immediate release and an end to police brutality and harassment of Nigerians.

Members of the coalition include: Blessing Akinlosotu for the civil society stakeholders; Murtala Mohammed, former President, National Youth Council of Nigeria; Engr. Uzoh Ifeanyi, representative of International Youth Organisations; Olayemi Success, representative of student stakeholders; Mazi Oscar David Kalu, Alhaji Gambo Suleiman Jagindi and Rikki Nwajiofor as national stakeholders; as well as Ademario Emmanuel, DG, Coalition of Nigeria Youth on Security and Safety Affairs.

The coalition said: “It is now public and viral that the Nigeria Police Force, under the Inspector General of Police (IGP) is turning into a monster and instrument of terror against the Nigerian People. It is either the IGP is absolutely unaware and ignorant of developments under him or he is the one calling the shots. The IGP cannot exonerate himself from either of the above.

“How can the IGP justifying the men of the Police Force arresting and handcuffing personnel of sister Agency, the NSCDC in public, even while seeing the NSCDC Officer with an AK47 rifle meant only for Security Agencies? How can the IGP explain the breaking into of the Headquarters of the Peace Corps to vandalise properties and arresting over 32 Youths and Civil Society Leaders over tenacity dispute that is even before the Court of Law, with judgement in favour of the Peace Corps.

“This development is a direct slap on the young people and citizens of Nigeria, hence, the reason for our intervention. We hereby give an ultimatum expiring Monday, October 28,2024 to the IGP and NPF to both tender an unreserved apology to the NSCDC, unconditionally release the National Commandant of the PCN and other detained Youths, unseal the Headquarters of the PCN.

“Failure to meet the above demands, we thereby call for the sacking of IGP Kayode Egbetokun by Mr. President before he causes irreparable havoc to NPF and Government of President Tinubu. Furthermore, if the above demands are not meant on Monday, then the Coalition will be left with no other option that to lead the Nigerian youth, student and civil society stakeholders on a peaceful protest to occupy both the Force Headquarters and the National Assembly. This serves as a pre-action notice.”