In Anambra, Govt Destroys  Gunmen's Hideout with Caterpillar, Recovers Charms, Others

By Izunna Okafor, Awka

Government of Anambra State has gone tougher on gunmen and other perpetrators of criminal activities in the state, as it invaded and destroyed one of the hideouts used by the hoodlums on Friday, June 10.

The invasion and demolition operation, which was embarked on with a Joint Security Task Force, happened at Oba, in Idemmili South Local Government Area of the state, where they literally pulled down a bungalow that served as house and hideout for a notorious gang of kidnappers in the area.

Prior to the demolition operation, the building was raided, and items recovered therefrom include assorted charms, locally-made pistol, shrine, Indian hemps, locally-made gun suspected to have been snatched from a vigilante, assorted phones, torchlight, cash, live ammunition,  scissors, among other items, while some members of the gang and their suspected accomplices were also arrested.

The gang was said to have been responsible for various criminal attacks and kidnap operations that had taken place in various parts of the state in recent time, including the two recent kidnap operations that happened at Oko, in Orumba North Local Government Area, and Ekwulobia, in Aguata Local Government Area, where at least four persons were kidnapped, before the police tracked them to their hideout in Oba, after earlier engaging them in a gun duel and neutralizing one of them, thereby forcing others to flee.

Recall that Anambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo had, during his state-wide broadcast on Wednesday, May 25, 2022, declared that any house or hotel found to be used as a hideout by criminals or for criminal activities in the state will be taken over and demolished to rubble by the government.

Addressing journalists later at the Governor's Lodge, Amawbia, after the demolition exercise, Governor Chukwuma Soludo commended the efforts of the State Joint Security Task Force, saying the demolition exercise would serve as a deterrent to other criminals.

He explained that it has been established that the building demolished was being used as a den for criminal activities, and maintained that the government policy does not allow any criminality to reign in the state.

The Governor warned that henceforth, in line with the law, criminals will have no place in any part of Anambra state, assuring that his government is fully determined to ensure that the state is safe for everyone, and that people can move freely around without fear or molestation 

He also applauded the cooperation by some people in the state who have been volunteering information, adding that every stranger is suspicious until his or her job is confirmed to be legitimate.

Governor Soludo again re-emphasised that any building being used for any criminal activities will be brought down and confiscated by government. 

He also appealed to the people to be security-cautious at all times, stressing that they should always report strangers and criminals operating in their communities to security agencies.

The Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, Mr. Christian Aburime, and the spokesperson of the Anambra State Police Command, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, also confirmed operation.