By Princess Simon (Bureau Chief North Central, in Minna)
Niger state government has demolished structures belonging to an alleged notorious kidnapper who had confessed to having used the proceeds from his criminal activities to build a bungalow at Nikangbe in Bosso Local Government Area, Minna metropolis.
The house, a two-bedroom flat with work on-going in another uncompleted two-bedroom extension, was located within the densely populated Bosso and was built by the alleged kidnapper whose names were not yet made public by the state government.
The Niger State Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Internal Security, Mr. Emmanuel Umar, who supervised the demolition, said the state government’s action would discourage others with criminal intents from continuing in crime.
According to him, “What the state government has just done is to give no hiding place for criminals. This is a sign and significantly a red card for criminals to leave Niger state because they will have no hiding place”.
The commissioner who did not give the identities of the kidnappers and their details of the operation, simply said, ‘this building is owned by one of the kidnappers who have been arrested. And it has been established that he used part of the proceeds of his criminal activities to buy it’.
Part of the policy of the Niger state government, according to the Commissioner, is to disallow criminals who have a place in the state, adding that, ‘if they do not leave peacefully, the law will catch up with them and we will make them leave by force.
“This structure is owned by a kidnapper who has been arrested. It is a proceed of crime and it is in our policy not to allow criminality to reign in Niger state. It is already established and we will not allow them and their businesses thrive in Niger state”.
While commending the police and other law enforcement agencies for their resolve in fishing out criminals among law-abiding citizens, the Commissioner said they have been up and doing in helping the state government to bring to the barest minimal crime rate in the state.
“Today, I salute our law enforcement agencies for this great feat. This is our collective commitment as a state government, that we will go to any length to ensure peace and security of lives and properties of citizens”.
Meanwhile, Nigerlites and key stakeholders have been urged to be security-conscious and to report suspicious movements, and provide useful information about strangers and people with suspicious intents, including buildings found to be occupied by ‘strange persons’ to law enforcement agencies.
“We have met with stakeholders in Niger state, including landlord associations, estate owners, hoteliers, and everyone, and we have told them to report any suspicious movements or strangers moving into their facilities. I hope we get more information to act on for a safe Niger state”.
Also speaking, the Ward Head of Kpakungun who also oversees the Nikangbe area, Alhaji Tanko Ibrahim, applauded the Niger state government’s action that has brought the reign of kidnappers in the area to an end.
Tanko however lamented that people do not cooperate when asked to report strangers or people with suspicious traits in their domain out of fear said the demolition would help to send the message that every stranger will be viewed with suspicion until his/her source of livelihood is confirmed to be legitimate. NNL.


