…says any building harbouring hoodlums and gunmen would be demolished
No fewer than seventeen buildings allegedly occupied by hoodlums have been marked for demolition in Uli community in Ihiala local government area of Anambra state.
Meanwhile, officers and men of the Police and Army have been deployed in the four villages that make up the community for steady vigilance to restore peace and security in the area.
Commissioner of Police Mr Echeng Echeng, during a Peace and Security Summit/Convention in the area, said the Command would not spare anyone or any building harbouring criminals in the community regardless of the owners.
Echeng, represented by Police Area Commander of Ihiala, ACP Bassey Christopher said the security operations tagged “Action All The Way,” was the last opportunity being offered to the criminals to leave the town.
He said, “Any building harbouring criminals and gunmen would be demolished and about seventeen or so of them have already been marked for demolition and we are not going to spare anyone or any building irrespective of who the owner is.
“This Peace and Security Summit and Convention is the last chance for the criminals to leave Uli town and after this meeting it is Operation Action All The Way and we advise the landlords that own those buildings to chase those criminals out of their homes.
“Already we have taken delivery of all the apparatus for this operation and I want to assure you all that before the end of this coming month the difference would be clear in terms of security of lives and property.
Similarly, Commissioner for Homeland Matters, Chief Chikaodi Anaghara explained that any demolished structure belonged to government in line with extant laws of the land.
He said, “In line with the Anambra State Laws any building that has been demolished belongs to the government and the former owner or landlord has lost ownership of that land and he cannot lay claim to it or want to go back to rebuild the house.
“It is bad and totally unacceptable to this government to condole the activities of criminals in our villages and if you want amnesty it is going to be structured amnesty and it must start with the respective communities.
“A criminal is a criminal and we have zero tolerance to going to negotiate with criminals. Be informed that this meeting has given those people the opportunity to lay down their arms now because it is going to be total action now.
“When you go and kidnap a soldier or policemen that has family and kill him, you should not expect pity.”
Earlier, President General of Uli Progressive Union, Engr Tobias Obiagazie regretted that youths in the community have been victims of long neglect, just as he canvassed for amnesty of those willing to lay down their arms.
He said, “It is our request, Mr Governor that you consider the option of granting amnesty to those who will voluntarily drop their arms to embrace peace.
“A rehabilitation program similar to that of the Niger Delta will go a long way to restoring a lasting peace in our town in particular and the state in general.
“Our teaming youths have been victims of long neglect; effective youth empowerment program will therefore be an antidote to this insecurity.
“The community would collaborate with you and the state government towards achieving this.”
