13th June, 2024
By Jethro Ibileke
Edo Commissioner of Police, Mr. Funsho Adegboye, has lamented that most of the suspects arrested for different crimes recently in the state are ex-convicts who had served various jail terms, but returned to take up criminal activities upon their release.
Adegboye said this on Thursday while parading 15 suspects arrested for various crimes from different parts of the state, ranging from kidnapping, illegal possession of firearms, murder and robbery.
The Police Commissioner therefore called on the federal government to adequately empower the Nigerian Correctional Service to enable it to serve as a reform centers for criminals.
This is even as he charged the nation’s Judiciary to cooperate with the Force to help keep criminal elements away from the society.
Adegboye who described the development as a serious dimension to criminality in this country, advocated for amendment to the laws for strong punitive measures.
According to him, “Some people have turned this kidnapping to fast business. Most of the suspects are ex- convicts. This is a serious dimension to criminality in this country.
“The government should empower the Correctional Service more to reflect their name be able to reform the inmates.
“We also want to appeal to the judiciary to cooperate with us. We don’t want these people back in the society. We need to ammend the laws for strong punitive measures.”
One of the suspects, Asene Ogah, who was recently released after serving seven years in jail, was arrested for alleged kidnapping.
CP Adegboye disclosed that the arrest of the suspect was well-celebrated in his community.
“On hearing of the arrest of the suspect, members of the community jubilated throughout the night. They also sent representatives to the Command to say that we should not let suspect return to the community.
“We appeal to out traditional rulers to please cooperate with us,” he appealed.