The Edo State Government has demolished houses linked to kidnappers in Illeh in Esan West Local Government Area and Uromi in Esan North East Local Government Area of the state.
The houses are located in the senatorial district of the State Governor Monday Okpebholo.
The Special Adviser to the Governor on Security, Mr. Akhere Paul, and Commander of the Special Task Force, Michael Anetor, led the operation.
Paul said the demolition exercise was in accordance with the anti-kidnapping bill recently passed into law by the Edo State House of Assembly and signed by Governor Monday Okpebholo.
The Special Adviser on Security vowed that the state government would not tolerate any house or establishment used as a hideout for criminal activities.
He, however, called on landlords to ensure proper profiling of their tenants before letting their properties to them.
“These houses have been used for criminal activities. They keep kidnapped victims here, and a raid by men of the Nigerian Police Force recovered some dangerous weapons as well.
“In accordance with the new law on anti-kidnapping recently passed by the Edo State House of Assembly and signed by Governor Monday Okpebholo, any house found to be used for kidnapping activities will be demolished.
“This will serve as a deterrent to others. You must profile a person before giving out your house to him or her for rent. 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 such as this,” he said.
He assured the people of the state that the exercise would be a continuous one, as the state government has given a marching order to flush out all criminal elements in the state and make it habitable for all.
Also speaking, the Commander of the Special Task Force, SP Michael Anetor, said the exercise, which is in accordance with the law, would serve as a deterrent to others and help checkmate kidnapping and other criminal activities in the state.
Anetor called on all Edo citizens to assist in the fight against kidnapping by keeping watch over their vicinity and reporting any suspicious activities to the nearest police station or to members of the Special Task Force.
He stressed that the state governor, Monday Okpebholo, is committed to a safer and more secure Edo State.
A statement by Fred Itua, the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor, made available to newsmen on Wednesday in Benin City, said the suspected kidnappers confessed to the crimes.
He said the suspects, Utubor Uchenna and Felix Ebama, who belonged to a gang of seven, identified the properties as their hideout before the demolition.
He alleged that the duo admitted that they had been involved in high-profile kidnappings within the Edo Central Senatorial District, with the last operation involving a N10 million ransom.
“The leader of the gang, Utubor Uchenna, noted that their last victim was marked because of the kind of luxury car he drives and was kidnapped alongside a lady. He said both victims were released unhurt after payment of a N10 million ransom,” the statement added.
It was gathered that the Special Task Force, in conjunction with other security apparatus in the state, has recorded recent successes in the fight against criminal activities, with many criminal hideouts raided and suspects apprehended and handed over to the police.
