The Enugu government, on Tuesday, demolished a building allegedly used by kidnappers to hold victims hostage.

The demolition came in the aftermath of the rescue of a kidnapped victim by security operatives in a bungalow at Umueze Awkunanaw in Nkanu West LGA.

The building was allegedly used by the prime suspect, identified as Igwenagu Ogbodo, and his gang for holding their victims captive.

Mr Ogbodo and some of his gang members, however, escaped with gunshot wounds when security agencies stormed the property.

Speaking to journalists during the demolition, the council chairman, John Ogbodo, commended Governor Peter Mbah for demonstrating the political will in the war against insecurity.

He said, “The prime suspect and his gang kidnapped the person and brought him here. He was rescued, and his vehicle was recovered. Some arms and ammunition were equally recovered. I thank Governor Mbah for his political will and demonstration of capacity, in line with what he told Enugu residents that any house that harbours criminals or is used to aid criminality will be demolished.

“That is exactly what is happening here today (Tuesday), and it is in line with the laws of the state. This is not the first house to be demolished in Enugu by this administration, in connection with kidnapping, nor is it the second nor the third. But this is the first one to be demolished in Nkanu West, and I know this is going to serve as a deterrent to other criminal elements.” 

He called on communities and Presidents-General to be mindful of the kind of people that live amongst them and to report any suspicious person to security agencies.

“Again, I want to use this opportunity to advise anyone who has a property in the state to be mindful of their tenants and the activities going on in their property. This is because any house used to harbour criminality, like kidnapping, stands to be demolished,” he said.

He also said that the demolition would demonstrate to other criminals in the state that there is no hiding place for them, given the level of technology and manpower deployed by the governor to combat insecurity and criminality. 

(NAN)