Sometimes, failure to appropriately address conflict and build peace has resulted in several humanitarian crises experienced across the globe.

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) has begun the training of personnel on peace building and mediation skills to enhance maximum efficiency of the service in the area of non-custodial services.

Speaking during the opening ceremony of the four days training on Monday in Abuja, the Controller- General, NCoS, Mr Haliru Nababa said that mediation skills were germane to the operations of NCoS.

Nababa said that this was with NCoS expanded mandate of administering non-custodial measures, especially in the area of restorative justice which involved victim-offender mediation and the likes.

Non-custodial service is responsible for the administration of non-custodial measures such as community service, parole, restorative justice measures and such other measures as a court of competent jurisdiction may order.

He said that the need for peace-building and mediation skills across all human societies could not be overemphasised and that the service had fully keyed into the opportunity and would not relent in making the best out of it.

According to him, it is common knowledge that conflict is an inevitable phenomenon in human relations.

“As a result, different mechanisms have evolved to prevent these conflicts from further escalating to crises.

“Sometimes, failure to appropriately address conflict and build peace has resulted in several humanitarian crises experienced across the globe.

“A correctional officer should have that capacity and that understanding as to how he can mediate and the processes he need to follow in order to resolve conflicts,” he said.

He also said that every effort geared towards actualising peaceful co-existence and enhancing mutual understanding among communities was commendable and a step in the right direction.

Nababa noted that Alternative Dispute Resolution had proven to be more fruitful in resolving conflicts than formal litigation which may win a case but lose the peace.

“This underpins the contemporary philosophy that building peace through dialogue is no longer a choice but a necessity,” he said.

The NCoS boss urged all participants to pay attention to the benefits of training and justify their selection.

The President, Mediation Training Institute (MTI), Mr Segun Ogunyannwo, commended Nababa for keying into the training of its personnel.

Ogunyannwo noted that the officers of the NCoS had been mediating hence the need to further train them to build their capacity in attending to issues.

“In fact when the NCoS 2019 Act was reviewed, mediation was an integral part of what was brought on board.

“Let us partner with the NCoS to reinforce what you have been doing so that you can do it in an assured confidence and professional manner,” he said.

A participant, Department of Training Directorate of the NCoS, Dr Joseph Augustine, said that the training added value to their lives and would enhance their capacity in the area of non-custodial services.

Augustine said that the training was expected to consolidate an already existing structure that was in place that gave power to service in using mediation skills.

NAN reports that the peace-building and mediation training was organised by the Nigerian Correctional Service and the Institute of Chartered Mediators and Conciliators. (NAN)

The Katsina State Police Command says it has foiled bandits attack at Kabobi village in Batsari Local Government Area of the state.

The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO) in the state, SP Gambo Isah, disclosed this in a statement issued on Friday in Katsina.

He said: “On Friday, July 23, 2021, at about 14:30hrs, bandits in their numbers, on motorbikes, armed with AK 47 rifles, blocked Jibia-Batsari road, exactly at Kabobi village, Batsari LGA.

“The hoodlums attacked and kidnapped all the occupants of a motor vehicle, Volkswagen Passat Wagon, and whisked them away into the forest.

“On receipt of the report, DPO Batsari led teams of Operation Puff Adder and ‘Sharan Daji’ to the area and engaged them into a gun duel and successfully rescued eight of the victims.

“Those rescued include a 70-year-old man, 13-year-old girl, three 12 year old girls, all from Garin Inu village, Batsari LGA of Katsina state.

“Another 20-year-old girl, and her two children, all from Turaku Quarters in Batsari LGA of Katsina state,” Isah confirmed.

He explained that search parties are still combing the area with a view of arresting the fleeing bandits and to rescue the remaining three missing persons as investigation is ongoing. (Abbas Bamalli – NAN)

The troops of Sector 1 Operation Hadin Kai, deployed at the Forward Operational Base (FOB) along Maiduguri-Damaturu road, have rescued 17 civilians from being kidnapped by Boko Haram terrorists in Borno.

The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Abuja.

He said the terrorists had attempted to infiltrate Auno village through the Rail Line adjacent to the community, but were quickly intercepted by troops in a fierce gun duel.

According to him, further exploitation conducted by troops of 7 Division Garrison and 212 battalion, resulted in the successful rescue of the commuting civilians, who were abducted during the attack at Kontori along Maiduguri-Damaturu road.

He said that the rescued civilians have been adequately documented and handed over to officials of Rapid Response Squad for further action.

“Recall that it was during the said attack that our troops were involved in a road traffic accident, while responding to a distress call from the area.

“The Chief of Army Staff (COAS), Lt.-Gen. Faruk Yahaya, commended the troops’ commitment and decisive operations against the terrorists.

“Yahaya also expressed his readiness and resolve to support the troops with requisite logistics and welfare to enhance their operational efficiency,” he said. (NAN)