Anambra State Governor, Chief Willie Obiano, has been applauded by Umunbo community in Ayamelum Local Government Area of the state for pulling down a storey building used as kidnap den in Ifite-ora Village by one Celestine Ughamadu and his gang to keep victims whilst negotiating ransom.

The demolition exercise carried out yesterday in continuation of the state policy of destroying crime infrastructure and ensuring that no one benefits from proceeds of crime and criminality, attracted jubilation and commendation from a cross section of the residents as the excavator bulldozed its way into the compound of late Okafor Ugnamadu whose son Celestine is the kidnap king-pin who has been terrorising the community and environs.

Onlookers at the site during the demolition burst into spontaneous solidarity chants in praise of Governor Obiano’s security initiatives, singing in Igbo: “Obiano! Obiano k’ anyi ge so o, mona eje eje, mon’ana naa, Obiano k’anyi ga eso o.” Translated, the song means that the people have resolved to follow Obiano at all times.

A youth leader in the area, Mr. Anthony Osita, extoled Governor Obiano for sustaining the fight to rid the state of all forms of crime. He urged youths of the area to avoid getting involved in criminal activities but to seek productive ventures to make money rather than engage in crime. Osita said that kidnapper Celestine Ughamadu has brought shame to the community with his nefarious activities and thanked Obiano for rescuing them from the gang, while calling on the government to extend development to the area.

Speaking on the demolition exercise, Deputy Commissioner of Police (DCP) Finihan Adeoye, said that the suspect, presently at large, kept abducted victims in the house and extorted several millions of naira as ransom before they regained their freedom. According to Finihan, “Celestine abducted many persons, including a business man and the head of Assemblies of God Church in Onitsha, while also letting the building out to other gangs to keep their victims.”

DCP Finihan stressed that the Anambra State Government and the security agencies that make up the Operation Kpochapu were resolute to win the war against crime. He urged youths to engage themselves in legitimate source of livelihood since crime does not pay.

•Photo shows happy onlookers as the bulldozer tore into the kidnappers’ den . . . yesterday at Ifite-ora, Ayamelum LGA of Anambra State.