U- Report: Campaign For Democracy Urges South-East Governors To Demolish Houses, Structures Used For Criminality

Dr. Joe Okei-Odumakin; President, Campaign For Democracy(CD)

Report By: Campaign For Democracy(South-East Zone)

The Campaign for Democracy (CD), South-East Region has urged the South-East governors to demolish any house or structure used by criminals for criminal activities within the zone.

This was contained in a statement issued by CD in Onitsha, Anambra State; while reacting to the recent compromise of some house and business premises owners with criminals within the zone.

The statement was signed by Dede Uzor A.Uzor and Dr. Jerry Chukwuokolo, who are the Chairman and Secretary of the group respectively.

The statement called on governors in the zone to act with political will, to send a bill to their respective houses of assembly to demolish any established property used as criminal hide-outs or used in any shade to advance the course of criminality in the state.

It said this in view of last week arrest of some suspected kidnappers by the Anambra State Police Commissioner, Mr Ballah Nasarawa in a hotel at Nkpor near Onitsha; the state governors had ``to deal decisively with collaborators and partners in-crime of these evil elements’’.

``This would be achieved by demolishing the identified houses and business premises so that it would serve as a deterrent to others, who are willing to harbour criminals in any shade.

``It would also create a sense of responsibility among the landlords and business operators in any locality to always monitor their tenants.

``As well as property and structure owners keeping careful watch over their belongings in order not to allow suspicion characters or un-authorized squatters to use their facilities,’’ it said.

The statement, however, lauded Gov. Rochas Okorocha of Imo State for sending a bill, which had been signed into law, that any identified kidnapper’s property or structure should be demolished and the land taken over by the government.

``The case of Eze CSO Okafor, The Ezejiofor 1 of Nnenator Autonomous community in Ihioma within Orlu LGA, Imo State; whose son was arrested for kidnapping and after the investigation it was found out that the monarch was allegedly privy to the crime his son was committing and failed to report to appropriate security agencies.

``The state government enforced the law and demolished the house of the monarch, striped him of his staff of office, removed his sign-post and banished him from parading himself as a traditional ruler,’’ it said.

In a related development, CD frowns at the frequent traveling of Gov. Obi to Abuja in the pretense of attracting foreign investors and being a member of the Nigeria Economic Team.

``The frequency of Gov. Obi’s travels to Abuja is affecting governance in Anambra State.

``As well as denying Anambrarians the venue to meet their governor on issues concerning the state and its development,’’ it said.