Enugu demolishes ‘den of kidnappers, rescues victims’

The Enugu state government has demolished a property allegedly used by kidnappers for abductions in Enugu East LGA.

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

The property, described as an incomplete-storey building with an underground tunnel, was located in Nkwubor Layout, Emene Nike.

Anya explained that security operatives had raided the site and rescued several victims after months of investigation.

“A significant amount of arms and ammunition was discovered in the building,” Anya said.

The recovered items included 17 firearms, 10 AK-47 rifles, seven pump-action rifles, and two shotguns. Shrines, charms, and small Indian hemp farms were also found on the premises, all of which were destroyed.

Anya said a large farm comprising a poultry, piggery, and plantain plantations in Ogbeke Nike was also demolished.

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

“We found an underground cell disguised as a manhole. What appeared to be an ordinary space was actually a facility for detaining people,” Anya said.

He reiterated the state government’s commitment to eradicating all forms of criminal activity, including kidnapping, citing a recent case involving a woman abducted near the University of Nigeria, Enugu Campus.

The state government has announced plans to repurpose the demolished properties into parks for public use.