The demolition exercise
By Jethro Ibileke
The demolished houses are located in Illeh, Esan West Local Government Area, and Uromi, Esan North East Local Government Area of Edo State.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Mr. Paul Akhere, who led the exercise, described it as a bold step towards ensuring the safety of its citizens and curbing criminal activities in the State.
Akhere, who said the demolition exercise was by the law, warned that the administration of Monday Okpebholo will not tolerate any house or establishment used as a hideout for criminal activities.
He, therefore, called on landlords to ensure proper profiling of their tenants before subletting their properties.
“This house has been used for criminal activities. They kept kidnapped victims here, and a raid by men of the Nigerian Police Force recovered some dangerous weapons as well.
“According to the new law on kidnapping recently passed by the Edo State House of Assembly and signed by Governor Monday Okpebholo, any house found being used for kidnapping activities will be demolished.
“This will serve as a deterrent to others. You must profile a person before renting out your house to him or her. Go to the police station and let them help you in profiling the new person before you give out your property.
“You must verify their identity, where they work, and who they are to avoid unfortunate incidents as this,” Mr. Akhere stressed.
He assured the people of the State that the exercise will be a continuous one as the State Government under Governor Okpebholo has given a marching order to flush out all criminal elements in the State and make it habitable for all.
Two of the suspected kidnappers, Utubor Uchenna and Felix Ebama, who belong to a gang of seven, identified the properties as their hideout before the demolition.
They disclosed that they had been involved in a profile kidnapping within the Edo Central axis, with the last operation fetching them ₦10 million.
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