Governor of Anambra State, Chief Willie Obiano has re-inforced his determination to rid the state of all forms of criminal elements as security operatives of Operation Kpochapu scaled up the demolition of criminal infrastructure with the knocking down of two buildings allegedly used for kidnap activities.
The buildings located at Umuchem, Ojoto in Idemili South Local Government Area and Iyaba in Umudim-Nnewi in Nnewi North Local Government Area of the state were pulled down yesterday.
The first building, a four-room-and-parlour bungalow at Umuchem Ojoto, was allegedly used by one Izuchukwu Amalunwoke, an alleged member of a kidnap gang, who is on the run, as a facility for holding their victims, whose relations were extorted of various sums of money to secure their release.
The demolition team also knocked down a storey building at Iyaba, Umudim Nnewi belonging to Chief Joseph Nnadike who died in 1988. It was allegedly converted to a kidnap den where several victims from Nnewi and its environs were held and extorted, by one Lotanna Enemuo, the caretaker of the property.
Reacting to the demolition exercise at Ojoto, a community leader, Mr. Michael Chukwuemeka alleged that Izuchukwu was notorious for his clandestine activities over the years, while strange characters had been trooping in and out of the house.
Mr. Chukwuemeka commended Governor Obiano for sustaining the battle to rid the state of criminals.
The building at Iyaba Nnewi had a cubicle behind the staircase, where kidnap victims were allegedly held hostage while awaiting ransom from their family members or friends.
Throwing light on the latest demolition of buildings, Assistant Commissioner of Police, Mr. Joseph Agugoesi said the affected properties at Ojoto and Nnewi were used severally for kidnap activities by Izu and Lotanna respectively.
He alleged that Lotanna and his gang incarcerated one Mrs. Anazodo and Mr. Richard Chukwudolue, saying some members of the gang were later killed during a gun duel with the police. He pledged that the Obiano administration and the security agencies would not relent in the ongoing drive to flush out hoodlums from all parts of the state.
In his reaction, a resident of the area and retired army officer, Sir Jimbo Hamada, said it was evident Anambra was having a responsive government
“I give the governor 100 per cent mark for what he is doing especially his effort to stop these criminals from coming to harass hapless villagers like us. Every landlord should take note and ensure that they know the identity of their tenants to avoid what is happening here today,” he said.
Jimbo confirmed that Obiano had restored sanity and stability in Onitsha and other parts of the state and urged the people to give his administration total support.
Meanwhile, some residents of Umuchem, Ojoto in Idemili South Local Government Area had protested the demolition of the building allergically belong to a kidnapper.They said the owner of the building is a businessman in based Aba, Abia state, who employed the service of a caretaker to oversee the properties on is behalf, while the raging speculation of demolition was on, he had consulted stakeholders, who buoyed to defend him before it will be demolished.
Sad to note that the exercise has been carried out, only time will tell, how he will be able to carry out his defense, considering the intensity of the crime before the law, as kidnap suspects and building where victims are kept are regarded as capital offence in Anambra state and the position of the law is cleared and its followed is the eye of the law.
