Enugu State Government Demolishes Kidnappers’ Hideouts.
The Enugu State Government took decisive action on Wednesday 21st August 2024 by demolishing structures used by kidnappers to hold their victims on the outskirts of Enugu, the state capital. Among the demolished properties were an unfinished stored building with an underground tunnel at Nkwubor Layout in Emene Nike, where a significant cache of weapons and ammunition was discovered, and a large farm with a poultry operation, pig farm, and plantain plantation at Ogbeke Nike, both in Enugu East Local Government Area.
The Enugu State Government took decisive action on Wednesday 21st August 2024 by demolishing structures used by kidnappers to hold their victims on the outskirts of Enugu, the state capital. Among the demolished properties were an unfinished stored building with an underground tunnel at Nkwubor Layout in Emene Nike, where a significant cache of weapons and ammunition was discovered, and a large farm with a poultry operation, pig farm, and plantain plantation at Ogbeke Nike, both in Enugu East Local Government Area. A total of 17 firearms, including eight AK47 rifles, seven pump-action rifles, and two shotguns, were found in the Nkwubor Nike area, while two AK47 rifles were recovered from the Ogbeke Nike farm. The operation also led to the destruction of shrines, charms, and small-scale Indian hemp plantations. These actions followed months of undercover investigations into the kidnappers’ activities, culminating in a raid on the hideouts, where some victims were rescued after gun battles with the criminals. The Enugu State Government, led by Governor Peter Mbah, had previously committed to combating crime and eliminating criminal activities in the state. The government had announced its intention to demolish properties used for kidnapping operations in line with Section 315 of the Criminal Code (Second Amendment) Law Cap. 30, Laws of Enugu State. This law, amended in 2016, states that any building or structure used for unlawful purposes can be demolished or confiscated by the State Government, emphasizing the accountability of property owners. During a press briefing at the criminal hideout in Ogbeke, Nike, the Executive Chairman of the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA), Hon. Barr. Uche Anya, confirmed that the demolitions were conducted in accordance with the law as directed by the government. Anya stressed the state’s determination to eliminate criminal elements and declared that there would be no safe haven for criminals in Enugu State. He explained that the administration is resolute in its effort to eradicate all forms of criminal activities, and recounted how individuals kidnapped, including a woman abducted near the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus, were taken to these locations. He emphasized the gravity of the situation, stating that after the day’s actions, these locations would no longer exist in their current form, and cautioned property owners against claiming ignorance while being abroad. Anya further warned that any property or business establishment involved in kidnapping or any harmful or threatening activities, including attempted murder, would be subject to government action. At the Nkwubor site in Emene Nike, he noted that the criminal activities there were particularly heinous, with an underground cell concealed by a manhole where victims were held, and a large stockpile of weapons discovered. The government plans to repurpose the seized properties for community use, such as children’s playgrounds, gardens, parks, or primary healthcare facilities. Anya stated that those who previously believed they owned these properties would no longer have any claim to them, and reiterated that Enugu State has specific legislation targeting kidnapping, along with the Criminal Code, which prohibits actions that infringe on an individual’s freedom and lead to fatalities. He concluded by asserting that such acts cannot be tolerated by the government.
That’s a good job.