Niger State Government has destroyed the residence of a notorious kidnapper’s hideout at the Nikangbe area of Minna, the state capital.
The government demolished the suspect’s two bedroom flat he lived in and another uncompleted two bedroom apartment under construction with the proceeds he allegedly got from his crimes.
Before the demolition, the state Commissioner for Local Government, Chieftaincy Affairs and Internal Security, Honorable Emmanuel Umar said the move would serve as a deterrent to other criminals.
Though he did not give details of who the kidnapper was, he explained that it has been established that he used part of the proceeds of the crime to buy the building.
“This is a building owned by a kidnapper that has been arrested. It is a proceeds of crime and it is in our policy not to allow any criminality to reign in this state. We can establish this and that henceforth, we will not allow any criminal to have a place in our land. It is part of the determination of the Governor to ensure Niger state is safe for us all,” according to him.
Speaking, the Ward Head of Kpakungun who also oversees Nkangbe, Tanko Ibrahim commended the efforts of the state government in its bid to keep the state safe for the people.
He decried the lack of cooperation by people of the area when asked to report any stranger coming into the community, adding every stranger is suspicious until his or her job is confirmed to be legitimate.
According to him, “seeing this shows that our lives are in danger if the people do not report strangers moving into the community. We, as community leaders, are trying our best but the people are not helping matters. They rarely report people who move in or buy lands or houses.”
