TWO houses belonging to a suspected
robbery and kidnap kingpin, Mr. Emeka Ezekude, were demolished on Wednesday at
Umuatu, Uli in Ihiala Local Government, Anambra State on the orders of Governor
Peter Obi.
Obi, who led the demolition exercise,
said it was part of the war against kidnapping and other crimes in the
state.
One of the buildings was a
nine–bedroom bungalow still under construction, while the other was a
four-bedroom flat. The construction of the nine-bedroom bungalow was begun a
few months ago, the residents told reporters.
The suspect was said a member of notorious
kidnap gang led by Olisa Ifedika, alias Ofeakwu, whose mansions were demolished
at Oraifite in Ekwusigo local government area two months ago.
Ifedika was said to have named
Ezekude as a member of his gang while being interrogated by the police and investigations
led to the discovery of large quantity of arms and ammunition in his house at
Uli.
Ezekude, 40, and married with five
children was said to be involved in the delivery of sand to building
contractors, while his main business was armed robbery and kidnapping.
Items recovered from the house
included, one rocket grenade, three grenade propellers, two A.K47 riffles, zero
six riffle, 27 A.K47 magazines, 170 rounds of live ammunition and nine chains
used in restraining kidnap victims.
The arms and ammunition were hidden
underground in plastic containers on the premises.
Wednesday’s demolition is the third
to be carried out on property owned by suspected kidnappers ad armed
robbers in Anambra State.
He reiterating that any
building linked with kidnapping and armed robbery in the state would be
demolished.
Deputy Commissioner of police in
charge of operations, Mr. Ayole Abeh, who accompanied the governor to Uli for
the exercise, said the suspect confessed to being an armed robber and a
kidnapper during interrogation.
The governor commended the police and
other security agencies for their sustained efforts to rid the state of
criminals and assured of continued government support to security operatives.