Demolition of hideouts discourages kidnapping in Anambra, says Police boss

THE resolute enforcement by Governor Willie Obianor of the law on demolition of properties acquired by kidnappers or those  ascertained as being used as their hideouts and den ,  has visibly stemmed incidents of kidnapping in the state ,   Assistant Commissioner of Police, Joseph Agugoesi, has said. 

 Speaking when he led a detachment of officers drawn mostly from the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) to demolish two bungalows used as kidnap dens in Azigbo, Nnewi South Local Council  of Anambra state on Thursday, Agugoesi said Obiano’s resolve to ensure the security of lives and property in Anambra and the commitment of security operatives at various levels and the Operation Kpochapu have practically led to drastic reduction of kidnap incidents.

According to him:“ You can see the fast pace at which kidnap incidents are resolved. Any occurrence or report is followed up immediately by the Police and solved and that is why Anambra is safer. now”

 The police chief explained that the gangs who are now in Police net over the Azigbo kidnap den were tracked by the operatives following report of the kidnap and they tried to retreat leading to the escape of the victim on February 5, 2015 just after two days and were subsequently apprehended. 

He advised young men in the state who are still tempted to embark on such nefarious activities to desist stressing that the law enforcement agencies are prepared to deal with them.

 A native of the Azigbo Village,  Mr. Onyeka Onwuegbusi expressed sadness at the bad turn of events which has jolted people in their once peaceful village. 

 He said: “We didn’t know we had robbers and kidnappers amongst us. You can see that the landlord is not there. Anyway I am happy that the main building is spared which means the demolition was carried out based on what the law said. I can only advice our young men to avoid crime.”

 The first bungalow of four bedrooms adjoining the main building was owned by one Eugene who resides outside the state located at Iruokpala village in Azigbo. 

 The building was reportedly used by a tenant, Mr Onyekachukwu Unegbu, 29,  a native of Awka-Etiti, and Joshua Chukwuma, 27, from Nnobi, both in Idemili South Council  and other members of their gang to detain and hide their kidnap victim Mr. Clement Unegbu who was picked-up at Nnewi on February 9, 2015.

 The second demolished bungalow belonging to Late Nathaniel Okoli of Umunobe Village Azigbo was also found to  be used by  other members of the same gang made up of Joshua Chukwuma and Mr Nnemeka Nkpuechina, 30, who hails from Abagana in Njikoka LGA of the state. 

 A kidnap victim, Madam Justina Ezenwa   who was abducted at Ekwulobia on October 3, 2014 was kept in the house until a ransom of N4million was dropped for the kidnappers   at Ugwuoba, a border town between Anambra and Enugu states.

  The gang also sold off her Toyota Camry  which they snatched from her on that fateful day.