The Edo state government has demolished buildings said to have been used by criminal gangs in perpetuating kidnapping in the State declaring that the exercise was in accordance with the law.
The houses, which are located at Illeh, Esan West Local Government Area and Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State, were pulled down on Wednesday under the supervision of Mr. Akhere Paul, the Special Adviser to the Governor Monday Okpebholo on Security.
Akhere discribed the development as a bold step towards ensuring the safety of the citizens and curbing criminal activities in the State.
He emphasised Governor Monday Okpebholo’s commitment to secure the lives and properties of residents, adding, “the government will not tolerate any house or establishment used as a hideout for criminal activities.”
The governor’s aide called on landlords to ensure proper profiling of their tenants before subletting their properties.
Akhere noted, “these houses have been used for criminal activities. They keep kidnapped victims here, and a raid by men of the Nigerian Police Force recovered some dangerous weapons as well.
“The new law on kidnapping recently passed by the Edo State House of Assembly and signed by Governor Monday Okpebholo indicated that any house found being used for kidnapping activities will be demolished
“This will serve as a deterrent to others. Landlords must profile a person before giving out their houses to him or her for rent,” he added.
Two suspects who were said to belong to a gang of 7, Utubor Uchenna and Felix Ebama, identified the properties as their hideout before the demolition.
While admitting to the crime, the suspects said they had been involved in high profile kidnapping within Edo Central axis, with the last operation fetching them N10 million.