The operatives of the Operation Clean and Healthy Anambra Brigade (OCHAB) have demolished shanties and illegal structures at the Building Materials International Market in Ogidi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra.

The managing director of OCHAB, Celestine Anere, said the exercise was to clear the illegal structures believed to be dens of hoodlums and criminals in the locality.

Mr Anere said criminal elements have been terrorising residents and traders who come to trade in the market and sometimes kidnapping innocent citizens.

He said the operation was carried out by the special enforcement team of the brigade to chase away all the criminals operating within the Ogidi and Ogbunike axis.

According to him, the team commenced ‘Operation Clean Anambra’ on Tuesday to get rid of all illegal structures in the markets to restore sanity in the state.

“These illegal structures have become hideouts for criminal elements terrorising the area and committing all kinds of crimes against innocent citizens and business owners plying the road.

“Several incidents of crimes like kidnapping and snatching of cars have taken place at those axes. They have become tipoff points for informants of organised crimes in the area,” he said.

He stressed that the area has continued to be a nightmare for business owners who occasionally fall victim to armed robbery, kidnapping, and theft.

He further said the dismantling of these shanties and illegal structures would also aid the free flow of water through the canals as these structures were constructed on waterways which have obstructed the drainage system.

(NAN)