By Cajetan Mmuta, Awka
About 17 buildings believed to harbour unknown Gunmen in Uli community in Ihiala local government area of Anambra’ State have been marked for demolition by the state government.
This is as heavily armed joint security operatives made up of the Police and the Army have been deployed to commence day and night strikes in the four villages that make up the Uli community in order to restore peace and security in the area.
Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Echeng Echeng stated this during the Uli Peace and Security Summit/ Convention held on Saturday in the state.
Echeng Echeng, who was represented by the Area Commander of Ihiala Police Divisional headquarters ACP Bassey Christopher,said the security operations in the community is tagged Action All The Way.
He said, “Any building harbouring criminals and gunmen would be demolished and about seventeen or so of them have already been marked for demolition and we are not going to spear anyone or any building irrespective of who the owner is”
According to him, “This Peace and Security Summit and Convention is the last chance for the criminals to leave Uli town and after this meeting it is Operation Action All The Way and we advise the landlords that own those buildings to chase those criminals out of their homes”
The state police boss stated that, “Already, we have taken delivery of all the apparatus for this operation and I want to assure you all that before the end of this coming month the difference would be clear in terms of security of lives and property”.
Also, Commissioner for Homeland Matters, Chief Chikaodi Anaghara said that in line with the laws of the land, any building that has been demolished belongs to the state government and the owner or the landlord has lost that property.
He maintained that, “In line with the Anambra state Laws any building that has been demolished belongs to the government and the former owner or landlord has lost ownership of that land and he cannot lay claim to it or want to go beck to rebuild the house”
“It is bad and totally unacceptable to this government to condole the activities of criminals in our villages and if you want amnesty it is going to be structured amnesty and it must start with the respective communities”
“A criminal is a criminal and we have zero tolerance to going to negotiate with criminals and be Informed that this meeting has given those people the opportunity to lay down their arms now because it is going to total action now”
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“When you go and kidnap a soldier or policemen that has family and kill him and you should not expect pity”
Speaking at the Summit, President General of Uli Progressive Union Engr Tobias Obiagazie sued for amnesty of the youth that would volunteer to lay down their arms.
He said, “It is our request, Mr Governor that you consider the option of if granting amnesty to those who will voluntarily drop their arms to embrace peace.”
“A rehabilitation program similar to that of the Niger Delta will go a long way to restoring a lasting peace to our town in particular and the state in general.”
“Our teaming youths have been victims of long neglect’, effective youth empowerment program will therefore be an antidote to this insecurity.”
“The community would collaborate with you and the state government towards achieving this,” he stated.
