Anambra State Government has commenced demolition of some structures housing criminals at the Building Materials International Market in Ogidi, Idemili North LGA of the state.
The exercise was carried out by operatives of the operation clean and healthy Anambra brigade (OCHAB)
Celestine Anere, managing director of OCHAB, said the exercise was aimed at clearing the illegal structures believed to be dens of hoodlums and criminals in the locality.
Anere said criminals have been terrorising residents and traders and have sometimes kidnapped innocent citizens.
He said the operation was initiated to chase out all the criminals operating within the Ogidi and Ogbunike axis.
He said the enforcement team of OCHAB commenced “operation clean Anambra” on Tuesday to get rid of illegal structures in the markets to restore sanity in the state.
“These illegal structures have become hideouts for criminal elements, terrorising the area and committing all kinds of crimes on innocent citizens and business owners plying the road,” Anere said.
“The several incidences of crimes like kidnapping and snatching of cars had taken place at those axes. They have become tip-off points for informants of organised crimes in the area.”
He further said dismantling the illegal structures would also aid the free flow of water through the canals as the demolished structures were constructed on waterways which have obstructed the drainage system.
