Peace Corps Throws Weight Behind Tinubu Over State Police Move

Speaking in Abuja on Wednesday, the National Commandant of the PCN, Ambassador Dickson Akoh, said the initiative, being considered by the Federal Government and the National Assembly, would enhance grassroots protection and improve overall security coordination nationwide.

Akoh explained that the Peace Corps is not opposed to any security reforms introduced by the presidency or lawmakers, but rather views its role as complementary to existing security agencies. He noted that the organisation is prepared to mobilise young people to support law enforcement efforts and contribute to maintaining peace at the community level.

The PCN boss also raised concerns over the rising wave of attacks on schools by armed groups, warning that continued kidnappings of students and teachers pose a serious threat to the country’s education system. He cautioned that unchecked insecurity in academic environments could discourage parents from sending their children to school and ultimately damage the future of the nation’s youth.

He further proposed the deployment of Peace Corps personnel to educational institutions as part of a layered security framework aimed at strengthening surveillance and early-warning systems. According to him, trained officers would help monitor school environments, detect suspicious movements, and relay timely intelligence to conventional security agencies for swift response.

Akoh stressed that the initiative aligns with Nigeria’s Safe Schools strategy, adding that it would help bridge existing security gaps through improved coordination between school authorities and formal security operatives. He also said the approach would incorporate peace education and psychosocial support to address underlying causes of delinquency while fostering a safer learning environment.

He urged relevant authorities to consider the Peace Corps’ proposal as part of broader efforts to combat banditry and protect the educational system from further attacks, emphasizing its importance to national development.