From Obinna Odogwu, Awka
The Anambra State Police Command has marked 17 buildings, suspected to be criminals’ hideouts, for demolition in Uli community, Ihiala Local Government Area of Anambra State.
The Commissioner of Police in the state, Echeng Echeng, made the disclosure at a Peace and Security Summit/Convention held in the town, at the weekend. The CP, represented by the Police Area Commander in charge of Ihiala, ACP Bassey Christopher, said the police discovered the buildings during its investigations, and that a security operation tagged “Action All The Way” would soon commence in the community.
He said, already, officers and men of the police and the army had been deployed to the area to commence day and night operations in the town; adding that the target was to restore peace and security in the area.
“Any building harbouring criminals and gunmen would be demolished, and about 17 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/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,” he said.
The Commissioner for Homeland Affairs, Chief Chikodi Anara, said any building demolished on the account of its harbouring of criminals would be taken over by the state government as stipulated by the laws of the land.
“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 condone the activities of criminals in our villages. And if you want amnesty, it is going to be a 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 and 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 policeman who has a family and kill him, you should not expect pity,” he said.
President General, Uli Progressive Union, Mr Tobias Obiagazie, an engineer, appealed that an amnesty should be granted to the youths of the area who might be willing to lay down their arms.
“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 programme, similar to that of the Niger Delta, will go a long way to restoring a lasting peace to our town in particular, and the state in general.
“Our teaming youths have been victims of a long neglect. Effective youth empowerment programmes will, therefore, be an antidote to this insecurity. The community would collaborate with you and the state government towards achieving this,” he said.