Abia Demolishes 2 Houses Used By Kidnappers To Confine Victims 

Abia State Government in collaboration with the State Police Command has demolished two buildings in the state used to confine kidnap victims in different parts of the state.

The demolitions which were executed in line with the Abia State Anti-Kidnap Law of 2016 as amended, affected a bungalow located in Eziala-Nsulu, Isialangwa North Local Government Area of the State and 7, Oma Close, Opposite New Life, Uratta in Aba South LGA.

Addressing journalists in the company of the Abia State Commissioner of Police, CP Janet Agbede, at one of the demolition sites, the Security Adviser to the Governor of Abia State, Captain Awa Udensi (Rtd) said the house at Eziala-Nsulu was used as a den for kidnappers to keep their victims while the second building located at Omalozu Avenue, off Uratta Road, Aba, the Police had in February, arrested three suspected criminals and recovered locally made riffles.

He disclosed that recently, a woman who went for a wedding ceremony was kidnapped from Obingwa Local Government Area and brought to Eziala-Nsulu in Isialangwa North LGA and that the kidnappers demanded N10m naira ransom from the victim's relatives. However, the police in collaboration with local vigilante and members of the community saw to the release of the victim without any ransom paid.

Two of the three suspected kidnappers arrested by the police have confessed to the crime.

Captain Udensi further revealed that during interrogations by the police, the suspected criminals arrested from Omalozu Avenue, Aba, voluntarily confessed to the crime of kidnapping with names of their past victims.

The Security Adviser explained that, in line with the relevant laws of the State enacted by the Abia State House of Assembly, penalty for kidnapping is death upon conviction, while any building used as a hideout for kidnapping would be demolished in line with the law.

He said the demolition would serve as a deterent to those who use their houses or avail their houses as kidnap hideouts and advised those who have houses they do not currently use to protect such buildings from being used as dens for kidnappers.

He informed that the present government under the leadership of Governor Okezie Ikpeazu has zero tolerance for crime, stating that the Governor has ensured synergy between the government and security agencies in the State towards protecting Abians and those who do business in the State.

Captain Udensi then called on landlords and tenants to make sure they fish out suspected criminals among them by reporting them to the police to face justice.

According to the Security Adviser, Abia State is running a Community/Police Partnership, hence, the success being achieved in the security sector of the State, assuring that the government is committed to providing adequate security for the protection of lives and property.