Anambra State Government has destroyed a building known to house and serve as hideout for kidnappers.
Armed with an excavator, Anambra State Joint Security Task Force conducted the demolition exercise which lasted for more than five hours at the hideout which was an old building at Oba, Idemmili South Council Area.
The hideout was raided recently, exhibits recovered at the crime scene include locally made pistol, shrine, charms, concoctions and indian hemp, among other incrementing materials, while some arrests were also made.
Recall that according to report, a gang of kidnappers were traced to the hideout by the Police, following an attack and subsequent kidnapp of two persons at Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area, and another two persons in Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area.
The gunmen had entered Oko through Nanka for a kidnap operation and almost succeeded but for the prompt intervention of the police special force acting on a tip- off who engaged the suspects in gunfire.
One of them was killed, but others escaped with various degree of injuries.
The gunman killed at Oko was identified as a former vigilante who was part of a four man gang who have been involved in high profile killings and kidnapping around the area.
The State Police Command while reacting through the spokesperson, DSP Toochukwu Ikenga confirmed the report, but was did not comment on the killing of the vigilante member who later joined the criminal gang.
DSP Ikenga explained that the command received distress call about the kidnap of two persons at Oko, and while on their trail, they learnt that the gang had kidnapped two more persons at Ekwulobia, and quickly pursued them and were able to track them down.
He said that Police operatives working with the vigilante stormed the location, on Sunday, rescued the four victims and arrested one Emeka who was suspected of complicity.
According to him, when interrogated, he confessed to the crime and led detectives to the hideout of his gang in Oba, Idemili South, where a shootout ensued.
According to Mr. Ikenga, the gang leader, one Chinedu Ajogu, AKA Sampolo was gunned down and five other persons including their native doctor were arrested for interrogation.
Later at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia, Governor Chukwuma Soludo said the move would serve as a deterrent to other criminals.
The Governor explained that it has been established that they used the building as a den for criminal activities, stressing that the government policy does not allow any criminality to reign in the state.
He warned that henceforth, in line with the law, criminals will have no place in any part of Anambra state, according to the Government’s determination to ensure that the state is safe for everyone.
The Governor who restates the resolve of the state government to keep the state safe for the people, applauded the cooperation of some people in the state in terms of volunteering information, adding that every stranger is suspicious until his or her job is confirmed to be legitimate.
According to the Governor any building being used for such purposes will be brought down and confiscated by government, reminding people of the danger of not reporting strangers and criminals operating in communities and cautioned against any form of conspiracy of silence.
Comments are closed for this post.