Kidnapping: Gov. Obiano demolishes 2 more houses

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. - The Sun.