- In a moving show of rehabilitation in action, the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), FCT Command, has formally handed over a reformed ex-inmate, Abdulkadir Mohammed, to the Aguma of Gwagwalada, marking a significant step in his journey back into society.
Spokesperson of the FCT Command of the NCoS, A.S Duza, disclosed this in a statement made available today.
Abdulkadir, a native of Gwagwalada, completed a four-year, four-month sentence during which he acquired practical skills in shoe-making. Equipped with a shoe filing machine to kick-start his trade, he symbolically presented a pair of handmade shoes to the traditional leader—an act reflecting his transformation and readiness to embrace a new path.
Controller of Corrections, FCT Command, Christopher Peter Jen, used the occasion to appeal for community support, urging the Aguma and residents of Gwagwalada to provide Abdulkadir with a space to establish his business. He stressed the importance of rejecting stigma against ex-offenders, noting that successful reintegration depends heavily on societal acceptance.
“This handover reflects our commitment to turning incarceration into an opportunity for positive change,” Jen said, calling on stakeholders to support reformed individuals in rebuilding their lives.
Responding on behalf of the Aguma, Bala Waziri commended the initiative and assured the community’s readiness to support Abdulkadir’s fresh start. He also praised the Controller General of Corrections, Sylvester Ndidi Nwakuche, for advancing reforms that prioritize rehabilitation and reintegration.
Duza stated that the event underscores the NCoS’s sustained focus on vocational training, restorative justice, and partnerships with community leaders to reduce reoffending and promote safer societies.
