By Correspondent in Minna.
Niger state government has demolished a structure belonging to a notorious kidnapper who confessed to having used the proceeds from his criminal activities to build a bungalow at Nikangbe in Bosso Local Government Area of Minna, the state capital.
The house, a two-bedroom flat with work on-going in another uncompleted two-bedroom extension, was located within the densely populated Bosso area,was built by the kidnapper, whose names was not made public by the state government.
The Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Internal Security, Mr. Emmanuel Umar, who supervised the demolition said state government action would discourage others with criminal intents from continuing in crime.
According to him, “What the state government has just done is to give no hiding place for criminals. This is a sign and significantly, a red card for criminals to leave Niger state, because they will have no hiding place.
“This building is owned by a kidnapper who has been arrested and it has been established that he used part of the proceeds of his criminal activities to buy it’
“It is already established and we will not allow them and their businesses thrive in Niger state,”he added.
Part of the policy of Niger state government, according to him, is to disallow criminals have a place in the state, adding that, ‘if they do not leave peacefully, the law will catch up with them and we will make them to leave by force’.
While commending the police and other law enforcement agencies for their resolve to fish out criminals, the Commissioner said they had been up and doing in helping the state government bring to the barest minimal, crime rate in the state.
“Today, I salute our law enforcement agencies for this great feat. This is our colletive commitment as a state government, that we will go to any length to ensure peace and security of lives and properties of citizens”.
Meanwhile, Nigerlites and key stakeholders have been urged to be security conscious and to report suspicious movements and provide useful information about strangers and people with suspicious intents, including buildings found to be occupied by ‘strange persons’ to law enforcement agencies.
“We have met with stakeholders in Niger state, including landlord associations, estate owners, hoteliers and everyone and told them to report any suspicious movement or strangers moving into their facilities. I hope we get more information to act on for a safe Niger state”.
Also speaking, the Ward Head of Kpakungun who also oversees Nikangbe area, Alhaji Tanko Ibrahim, applauded Niger state government’s action “that has brought the reign of kidnappers in the area to an end.”
Tanko, however lamented that people dud not cooperate when asked to report strangers or people with suspicious traits in their domain, out of fear, said the demolition would message that that every stranger would be viewed with suspicion until his/her source of livelihood is confirmed to be legitimate.
Edited by Dada Ahmed.
