Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, the governor of Anambra State, on Friday, demolished a building in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area, that was used by kidnappers to house their victims.
WITHIN NIGERIA gathered that last week, security agents stormed the building, rescuing three kidnap victims, including a Catholic priest, as well as recovering the priest’s SUV and killing one of the suspected kidnappers, based on information provided by an arrested gang member.
The structure, a dilapidated three-room structure, was demolished on Friday after a joint security team stormed it for additional operations.
According to Daily Post, the operation saw the recovery of charms items suspected to belong to previous kidnap victims, while a shrine used for the fortification of the criminals was also demolished.
Two more suspects were apprehended during the operation, one of whom is thought to be a native doctor who works with the criminals.
Meanwhile, Prof Soludo, who spoke to journalists later at the Governor’s Lodge in Amawbia, said the demolition was in line with the state government’s policy of confiscating or demolishing any property used to perpetuate criminality.
Soludo commended the efforts of the State Joint Security Task Force, saying the demolition exercise would serve as a deterrent to other criminals.
He said: “We have made it part of our policy that any property used for criminal purposes in Anambra will be demolished. That building demolished was being used as a den for criminal activities, and the government’s policy will not allow any criminality to reign in the state.
Henceforth, criminals will have no place in any part of Anambra State. I assure you that this government is fully determined to ensure that the state is safe for everyone, and that people can move freely around without fear or molestation.”
He also applauded the cooperation by some people in the state who have been volunteering information, adding that every stranger is suspicious until his or her job is confirmed to be legitimate.
He also appealed to the people to be security conscious at all times, urging that they always report strange and criminals operating in their communities to security agencies.
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