By DAVID ONWUCHEKWA, Nnewi
Anambra State Government yesterday demolished two bungalows linked to a kidnap suspect, Emeka Ezekude at Umuihefula village, Umuaku Uli in Ihiala Local Government Area. Governor Peter Obi who led the demolition said the war against kidnapping and other violent crimes in the state must be total.
The demolition followed the arrest of Ezekude and recovery of arms and ammunition hidden underground in plastic containers in his premises. Among the items recovered were one rocket grenade, three grenade propellers, two AK 47 rifles, zero six rifle, twenty seven AK 47 magazines, 127 rounds of live ammunition and nine chains used in restraining kidnap victims. Governor Obi said the demolition was in line with the state government’s policy that any property linked to a kidnapper would be acquired by the government and demolished. He stressed that government would not allow anyone to benefit from proceeds of kidnap and other crimes. The governor assured that government was already winning the battle as the wave of kidnap across the state had drastically reduced.
He thanked the police and other security agents for their sustained efforts to rid the state of criminals and hoodlums. The Deputy Commissioner of Police, Operations, Mr. Ayole Abeh said Ezekude was a member of the kidnap gang led by Mr Olisa Ifedike, alias Ofeakwu who was arrested last month. Abeh explained that the suspect was arrested through the statements by his colleague in crime, Mr. Ifedike. Members of the community said Ezekude was masquerading as a sand and stone supplier to shield his criminal activities. They commended Governor Obi for his determination to eradicate crime in the state and assured him of total support.
The two demolished buildings consisted of nine rooms and a parlour and four rooms and a parlour respectively. Reacting to the incident, the President General of Uli Progressive Union, Ichie Cletus Madu Ezenwaka said the union and the Igwe-in-Council had disbanded all youths organizations and those, he said, called themselves Millennium Boys who, he alleged, engaged in anti-social activities, adding that the community was shocked to learn that the suspect was a criminal even though he was parading himself as a building contractor.
He said the community would not associate itself with criminals and would help government to flush them out. In a related development, the Special Anti Robbery Squad (SARS) in Anambra led by Mr James Nwafor on Monday rescued a kidnap victim, one Onyekwelu Jonathan who was kidnapped at Awada Obosi by one Obinna Ofor and his gang and was taken to Lagos where the SARS rescued him in a compound owned by one Onyeka, which was used as a detention camp by the kidnappers. Three of the kidnappers were shot dead during exchange of gunfire. Items recovered include one rocket launcher, one rocket, four rocket propellers, 18 AK47 magazines and 300 7.62 mm live ammunition.
TheSun
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