‘Let justice build, not destroy,’ group says in national development appeal
In response to the recent demolition of a building allegedly used for organ trafficking and other heinous crimes, the International Organisation for Nationals in Diaspora Mentoring Corp (NIDMECORP) has issued a passionate call for a shift from punitive demolition to purposeful reformation.
At the heart of the appeal is a bold vision: repurpose properties linked to criminal activities into centres for rehabilitation, empowerment, and community development—rather than reducing them to rubble.
In a statement issued to newsrooms across the country, John UK, Media Support Officer for NIDMECORP, urged federal and state governments to discontinue the demolition of crime-associated buildings and instead adopt a policy that transforms such structures into resources that benefit victims and society at large.
“No society should tolerate criminal activities like human trafficking, ritual killings, or kidnapping,” John UK stated. “But when a building worth N50 million is demolished, we lose more than concrete—we lose the opportunity to heal, to reform, and to rebuild trust and hope in that community.”
The organisation emphasized that buildings seized through due legal processes could be handed over to ministries or licensed NGOs and converted into trauma recovery centres, youth rehabilitation facilities, health clinics, or hubs for social justice advocacy.
A Missed Opportunity for Social Impact
Across several Nigerian states, authorities have increasingly resorted to demolishing properties linked with crime syndicates as a show of zero tolerance. While these actions are often perceived as justice in action, NIDMECORP warns they may have long-term social and economic downsides.
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“Demolition might feel like justice served, but in reality, it creates new problems—public safety hazards, environmental waste, and lost value,” the group added. “If redirected, these buildings could serve thousands through emergency shelters, training programs, and community engagement initiatives.”
A Vision for National Healing
Also speaking, Mentoring Commandant Alistair and International Commander Godson Azu echoed the call, urging policymakers, lawmakers, and security agencies to embrace a more constructive and rehabilitative justice system.
“Let us break the cycle of destruction and instead build pillars of hope from the remnants of tragedy,” said Cmrd Azu. “Let those walls, once echoing with pain, now shelter progress and peace.”
NIDMECORP’s proposal includes:
Legal confiscation of crime-linked buildings.
Strategic repurposing by relevant ministries or accredited NGOs.
Transformation into centres that educate, heal, and empower.
The organisation insists this approach would demonstrate moral leadership while saving scarce national resources. More importantly, it offers a chance for communities to reclaim and redefine their narratives.
As Nigeria continues to battle rising criminal activities, NIDMECORP’s message is clear: justice should not only punish, but also rebuild. The structures that once harbored pain can become sanctuaries of purpose.