Anambra State Joint Security Task Force, on Friday, conducted a demolition exercise at the hideout of notorious kidnappers, an old bungalow building at Oba, Idemili South Council Area.
The Press Secretary to the State Governor, Christian Aburime, who made this known in a statement issued on Saturday, noted that the exercise followed Governor Charles Soludo’s directive that all kidnappers and other criminal gangs’ hideouts are raided and buildings harbouring them destroyed.
The hideout was discovered after Policemen tracked a gang of kidnappers there following the kidnapping of two persons at Oko in Orumba North Local Government Area and two others at Ekwulobia in Aguata Local Government Area.
It was gathered that the gunmen entered Oko through Nanka for a kidnap operation and were on the verge of succeeding before the prompt intervention of the Police Special Force, who engaged them in gunfire. One of the gunmen was killed, while others escaped with various degrees of injuries.
The gunman killed at Oko was identified as a former vigilante who was part of a four-man gang that has been involved in high-profile killings and kidnapping within that vicinity, authorities say.
According to the State Police Command Spokesman, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, the Command had received a distress call about the kidnap of two persons at Oko, and while on their trail, they learnt that the gang had kidnapped two more persons at Ekwulobia.
Police operatives working with the vigilante stormed the location on Sunday, rescued the four victims, and arrested one Emeka, suspected of complicity. When interrogated, he confessed to the crime and led detectives to the hideout of his gang in Oba, where a shootout ensued.
The PPRO added that the gang leader, Chinedu Ajogu aka Sampolo, was gunned down and five other persons-including their native doctor, were arrested for interrogation.
In reaction to the incident, Governor Soludo explained it had been established that the building should be demolished for being used as a den for criminal activities.
He further warned that henceforth, in line with the law, criminals will have no place in any part of Anambra state, assuring the fully determined to ensure that the State is safe for everyone.
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