The Anambra State Government under the watch of Chief Willie Obiano has stepped up its pursuit of criminals and kidnappers with the demolition of three buildings used to incarcerate kidnap victims at Aguleri and Umuleri, Anambra East Local Government Area.

The buildings include a four-room-and-parlour bungalow at Ararite Aguleri owned by a man from Umuobanam but used by his caretaker, one Jude Onu from Imo State, and his gang to keep kidnap victims. Other kidnap gangs were said to have used the building as hideout while negotiating for ransom.

Confirming police encounter with the gang, Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP) Joseph Agugoesi said that five members of the gang were killed in a gun duel with police last year. According to the ACP, “during the police raid the sum of N5 million paid to the gang as ransom was recovered with two AK 47 riffles while Jude, their leader, escaped.”

A member of the community, Mr. Lawrence Odinuko, confirmed that the house was known as a kidnap den and that the youths had tried to destroy the hideout. He commended Governor Obiano for his dogged fight against crime in the state.

At Umuatulu, Umurueri, a storey building and an adjoining boys’ quarter were also demolished. The buildings belonged to late Ozoemena Egwuatu but were used by his twin nephew Ejima Nwandu for kidnap activities.

Wife of the late deceased landlord admitted that the said Ejima Nwandu lived in the house but denied knowledge of their kidnap activities. A community leader who lives in the neighbourhood, Mr. Emeke, said that Ejima was a notorious robber declared wanted by the community.

ACP Agugoesi confirmed that the suspect Ejima Nwandu who used the Umueri house as kidnap den and some members of the gang were killed in a shootout last year. He assured Ndi Anambra that the battle against the kidnappers and armed robbers in Anambra would be sustained. Mr. Agugoesi commended Governor Obiano for his resolute stand against criminals and kidnappers and support for law enforcement personnel in Anambra State.

•Photo shows the bulldozer tearng into the kidnappers’ den in Umuatulu Umueri.