In a decisive move to curb criminal activities and ensure the safety of residents, the Edo State Government has commenced the demolition of houses linked to kidnappers in Uromi, Esan North East, and Illeh, Esan West Local Government Areas of the State.
The demolition exercise, led by the Special Adviser to the Governor Monday Okpebholo on Security, Akhere Paul, was carried out under the directives of Governor Monday Okpebholo, in line with a recently passed anti-kidnapping law.
According to Mr Akhere, the government will not tolerate any building used as a hideout for criminal activities, emphasising the need for landlords to conduct proper background checks on prospective tenants before renting out their properties.
“This house has been used for criminal activities. They keep kidnapped victims here, and during a police raid, dangerous weapons were recovered,” he said.
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“According to the new anti-kidnapping law, any house found being used for such criminal activities will be demolished. This serves as a deterrent to others.”
He urged landlords to verify the identity, occupation, and background of tenants through police profiling before renting out their properties to avoid similar consequences.
Commander of the Special Task Force, Michael Anetor, reaffirmed that the exercise was lawful and necessary to combat kidnapping in the state.
He encouraged residents to be vigilant and report suspicious activities to law enforcement agencies.
Speaking to journalists, two arrested suspects, Utubor Uchenna and Felix Ebama, confessed to being part of a seven-man kidnapping gang that operated in the Edo Central axis.
They admitted that their last operation, which targeted a man driving a luxury car, fetched them a ransom of ₦10 million before the victims were released unhurt.
The Edo State Special Task Force, working with other security agencies, has intensified efforts to rid the state of criminal elements.
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Recent operations have led to the arrest of several suspects and the dismantling of multiple criminal hideouts.
The state government vowed to continue the crackdown to ensure a safer and more habitable Edo for all residents.
