The Niger State Government in North Central Nigeria has demolished buildings belonging to a suspected kidnapper in Yikangbe, a suburb of Minna, the state capital.

According to the spokesman to the Niger State governor, Mary Berje, the structures comprised of a completed two bed room flat occupied by the alleged criminal with his family members and another two bedroom flat yet to be completed.

The State Commissioner for Local Government, Community Development, Chieftaincy Affairs and Internal Security, Emmanuel Umar supervised the demolition which was carried out under the watchful eye of heavy security men of the Nigerian Police.

Mr Umar explained that a good citizen of the state gave the security agents vital information about the supecious activities of the suspect which led to his arrest and subsequent demolition of the apartment.

Further Investigations

The Commissioner said the suspect had since been taken to Abuja for further investigations.

He assured citizens that Governor Abubakar Sani Bello was determined to protect lives and property and rid off the state of criminal elements.

The Commissioner stressed that government would not allow the state to be a safe haven for kidnappers and bandits.

He pointed out that the same thing would be carried out on any property that is established to have been acquired by proceeds of kidnapping, banditry or other forms of criminality in the state.

“The building is owned by a kidnapper that has been arrested and since it is our policy not to allow criminality reign in the state, the law enforcement agencies in partnership with the state government are so happy to have established this”, he said

While commending the efforts of the security agencies, the commissioner also appreciated those who provided useful information that led to the arrest of the suspect.

He encouraged the people to always be vigilante and report to security agents any suspicious activities around their vicinity, and assured them that the information would be treated with confidentiality.

Inuwa Makun and Tanko Ibrahim who are Ward Heads of Yikangbe and Kpakungu respectively, commended the efforts of the state government and security agencies, promising that the people of the communities would be more security conscious.

Some residents of the area who were shocked by the development, said the arrested kidnapper moved into the neighbourhood two months ago after he bought the property. (Saturday Independent)

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