By Martin Nwoko
The Acting Commandant of Imo Civil Guards, Mr Martins Ekeh, had on Tuesday embarked on a familiarization visit to the Nigerian Prisons Imo State Command.Ekeh who was recently appointed by the Imo State Governor, His Excellency, Rt. Hon Emeka Ihedioha, to oversee the affairs of the Agency, was accompanied by the Commandant of the Nigerian Security and Civil Defense Corps (NSCDC) Alhaji Ibrahim Raji.
Addressing the Prison Officials and inmates at the Owerri Central Prisons, the Acting Commandant General of Imo Civil Guard applauded the Prison’s Officials for their administrative ingenuity which has translated into the effective and efficient service delivery in the Owerri Prisons.
The Imo Civil Guard boss, promised to be visiting the Owerri Prison alongside members of his staff, so as to bring succour to the inmates and as well interact with Prison officials in the state on the best way of partnering with them.
Speaking further, Mr Martins Ekeh revealed that the Agency in the past visited the Nigerian Prison but stated that during the last administration in the state, the laudable vision was put to a stop but he decided to reintroduce it upon his emergence as the Acting Commandant General of Imo Civil Guards. He also hinted that some of the inmates are innocent of the allegations leveled against them and in that regard the Agency will partner with Legal Aid Council of Nigeria, to see that some of these innocent prisoners regain their freedom.
He therefore called on the general public mostly the youths to desist from acts capable of landing them in prison.
The Agency donated lots of food items such as bags of rice, beans, garri, soft drinks, toiletries etc to support the inmates.
In his response the Controller Owerri Prison CP, Chris Okoye, thanked the Acting Commandant General of Imo Civil Guards and the Commandant of NSCDC Imo State for finding time to visit them in a new style. The CP stressed that Nigerian Prisons services today serves as a reformation centre where inmates are trained in different skills in order to become a better citizen when reintegrated back to the society.
Also present was the Deputy Controller of Owerri Prison Mr S.O Oduntain, who while making his closing remarks and vote of thanks noted that Owerri Prison over the years has been peaceful. He called on other security agencies in the state to continue to partner with Nigerian Prison services,Imo State Command, to ensure a crime free and peaceful Imo State.
