….Enugu residents urge govt to demolish properties used as kidnap hideouts
In a fierce crackdown, at least 27 kidnappers—members of the dreaded Auto Pilot faction, known infamously as the Unknown Gunmen, have been gunned down in violent confrontations with security operatives throughout Enugu over the past two weeks.
This shocking revelation comes from a police detective who confirmed that these ruthless criminals, who long terrorized Enugu and its surroundings, have faced relentless justice.
As the echoes of gunfire fade, Enugu residents are raising their voices louder than ever, urging the governor to take bold action: to demolish the properties that once served as hideouts for these wicked criminals. They argue that such decisive measures would send a clear message to would-be offenders, instilling fear where once there was impunity.
At dawn on Wednesday, Police Superintendent Onochie Ezeh, leading a daring joint security operation on Ugwuogo Nike-Opi Road, detailed the dramatic raid that resulted in the annihilation of a seven-man kidnapping gang in Ogbeke Nike. It was in a sprawling poultry farm, transformed into a grim prison for their hostages, that these monsters were confronted.
“This operation is part of our unwavering campaign to eradicate criminal elements plaguing not just Enugu, but neighboring states as well,” Ezeh declared.
“For over three months, we have been closing in on these kidnappers, tracking their sinister activities in this area. They abducted victims and locked them away in that poultry farm until their insatiable ransom demands were met.
“Upon sighting the approaching law enforcement, the gang opened fire, but with unwavering determination and superior firepower, the operatives struck back, overpowering the forces of darkness.”
Ezeh further credited the governor, Mr. Peter Mbah, for assembling a formidable task force—an elite squad designed to combat the epidemic of kidnappings and the nefarious actions of unknown gunmen.
“This is a fierce team with a singular mandate: eliminate every source of threat in our state. We have achieved significant victories over the past months. Our mission is not to parade our successes for media glory but to ensure every resident can live freely and peacefully.”
He continued, “We’ve already dismantled over seven criminal gangs. The governor is clear: we will not return home until we have purged this land of every last threat. The task force has pinpointed numerous hideouts across Enugu, including notorious areas such as New Artisan Market and Akwuke, where the vile concoction of greed and malice breeds.
“During our operations, we have neutralized over 30 kidnappers, seizing firearms and stolen goods,” Ezeh asserted.
Yet, as the dust settles, the call for enduring change reverberates through the community. Residents implore Governor Mbah not only to pursue the criminals but also to utilize his authority as the chief security officer to demolish these sinister structures once and for all.
According to them, the state is equipped with legal provisions empowering the demolition of buildings used for the nefarious transport of victims, whether they be hotels or private estates.
Chief Ani Iheanacho, a prominent lawyer, spoke to the urgency of this matter. “We cannot continue to allow this scourge to thrive. The governor must summon both political and legal fortitude to destroy these properties, regardless of ownership. This is not just a fight against crime; it’s about delivering justice to victims and their families—a necessity for the moral fabric of our society.”
Dr. Kate Pamela, one of the lucky few who escaped the clutches of her captors, shared her harrowing ordeal.
“Every time I pass that poultry, it feels like justice is slipping away. They held us captive for five torturous days, and when our families could not meet their outrageous ransom demands, two of our companions were brutally murdered. While I may have identified the bodies of three kidnappers in the aftermath, I still believe that their presence must be eradicated from our community.”
