Enugu demolishes ‘den of kidnappers’, rescues victim

The Enugu government has demolished a property allegedly used by kidnappers in Awgu LGA of the state.

The demolition, which took place on Saturday, was overseen by Uche Anya, chairman of the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority (ECTDA).

The property is located in Amaebo Owelli autonomous community.

Anya said security agencies successfully tracked and rescued a kidnapped victim from the hideout.

He said they apprehended most of the criminals and recovered a cache of arms and ammunition.

“The video of a male kidnapping victim who had several AK-47 rifles pointed at his head in May 2024 was recorded in the same building,” he said.

“But security agencies were able to track the building, rescuing the victim, while also apprehending most of the criminals and recovering a cache of arms and ammunition.

“For instance, on 25th of May 2024, some deadly kidnappers abducted a man in Enugu, brought him here, stripped bare, even naked to his red boxers, bound him, pointed guns at him, and forced him to start talking to his family to request for money. They posted that video to his relatives.

“Security agencies moved to the place. Every other person was arrested, but the kingpin escaped to Ebonyi.

“We tracked him to Ebonyi, and he escaped to Lagos where the Enugu state government and the security agencies caught up with him.”

Anya said the demolitions were carried out in accordance with the state’s Criminal Code Law and warned property owners against “facilitating criminal activities”.

“This is a warning to every landlord, the Enugu state government will never accept it as an excuse,” Anya said.

“I am in Australia. I am in America. My brother-in-law took people to my property.

“Every landlord, once you put up a house in Enugu, we hold you responsible for any criminality that happens in your property.

“Once it becomes a violent crime – kidnapping, killing, armed robbery – we will take down the property in line with existing laws. We will enforce it to the letter.”

The chairman said the government has taken over the property, adding that its title deed has been revoked.