The Niger State government, at the weekend, authorized the demolition of a house owned by a suspected kidnapper in Minna, the State capital.
The two-bedroom apartment with an uncompleted two-bedroom extension within the same compound was built on a plot of land, in the Nkangbe community in Bosso local government area of Niger state.
The suspect was alleged to have confessed to participating in abductions of several persons and cattle rustling around the state in recent times and was able to build the demolished house and another uncompleted two-bedroom flat with the proceeds of his criminal activities.
The Commissioner for Local Government and Chieftaincy Affairs, Mr. Emmanuel Umaru, confirmed that the government authorized the demolition.
Umaru said the suspect, who is currently with security personnel, is a member of the gang that kidnapped some staff members of the University of Abuja.
The commissioner also said that the suspect’s confession led to the rescue of the kidnapped staff of the University of Abuja.
“We will not allow our state to be a safe haven for kidnappers, bandits, or any criminal,” he said.
He urged residents to be vigilant and security conscious around their communities and report dubious characters to nearest security outfits.
Umaru said the government, along with security agencies, have mapped out a comprehensive security network to flush out criminal elements from the State.
“We will give all the necessary support to the police and other security personnel deployed in the ongoing fight against banditry, kidnapping, and other criminal elements to perform optimally.
He explained that joint security operations led to the arrest of the suspect.
“We have already reached out to traditional rulers and other stakeholders to mobilise residents on the need to support the security agencies with required intelligence information that could aid in apprehending miscreants in their midst,” Umaru said.
He, therefore appeal to residents not to hesitate to report any person or group of people with questionable character to the nearest security outfits for prompt actions.