The Commissioner of Police in Kwara, Olushola Amore, has ordered the dismantling of a camp of Peace Corps of Nigeria in Offa localgovernment area of the state, describing it asillegal.The Command's Public Relation Officer, DSPAjayi Okasanmi, confirmed the development tothe News Agency of Nigeria (NAN), on Friday inIlorin.He said the Commissioner viewed the camp asillegal, hence the reason he ordered that everyone at the camp should leave. Okasanmi explained that there was no information to the effect that a camp will open in Offa to train anyone.'We were not officially informed about any camp in Offa and we don't have any information about any organization organizing any camp there.'There should be no training or camping of anyorganization without the knowledge of the police.'No organization has secure any clearance toorganize any camp in Offa.'When we got information that there is a campgoing on somewhere in Offa and since no oneinformed us about any, we had to close the camp.'Doing this, we considered the securitysituation of the country because we don't knowthe pedigree of the organization conducting thecamp.'Our action was to just ensure there is nobreakdown of law and order.'If we have a directive from Abuja that anycamping will hold, there is no problem becausewe don't have any issue with anyone'Okasanmi said.Reacting to the incident, the Kwara Adjutant ofthe Peace Corps of Nigeria, Dr. FolorunshoPeter, denied the police allegation that hiscommand did not inform it of its orientationcamp.He explained that there were some applicantswho had not paid their dues to qualify to takepart in the orientation process who wanted toforcefully partake in the camping.'Some persons came and wanted to partake inthe training and they have not paid their duesand met resistance from our officers on ground.'The police came in and said the issue has notbeen properly resolved and that we did notobtain clearance to operate.'We have properly informed them of our plans,we served them our time table for theorientation camp.'We even invited the police commissioner tocome and deliver lecture, as well as DSS,NDLEA and some other organizations.'The camp Commandant came to Ilorin to seethe Commissioner of Police, though I was notwith them but was told they had a positivediscussion' Peter said.Peter said theyhad allowed participants to gooff camp, so as not to have any confrontationwith the police.He said applicants have been told to report tothe Command's headquarter in Ilorin onMonday, Feb. 20, and that camping will resumeagain by Tuesday, Feb. 21.NAN reports that no fewer than 5, 000applicants from across the country are gatheredfor the orientation in Offa. (NAN) http://www.dailytrust.com.ng/news/general/police-shut-down-peace-corps-orientation-camp-says-it-s-illegal/185684.html
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