The Enugu State Government has announced plans to demolish any property, whether private residences or business premises, found to be used for kidnapping for ransom. This move is part of Governor Peter Mbah’s administration’s ongoing efforts to eliminate all forms of crime in the state.
The Secretary to the State Government (SSG), Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, made this known in a statement issued by Uche Anichukwu, Senior Special Assistant to the Governor on External Relations. The decision follows public outcry over the government’s perceived inaction regarding the enforcement of the law, which was amended in 2016 and signed into law by former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in 2017.
Section 315 of the Criminal Code (Second Amendment) Law Cap. 30, Laws of Enugu State, mandates that any building used for criminal activities, such as kidnapping, be demolished or forfeited to the state if the owner knew or should have reasonably known about the illicit use.
Onyia emphasized that the current administration is committed to enforcing the law after conducting thorough due diligence to prevent any wrongful demolition or miscarriage of justice. Property owners are urged to verify the backgrounds of prospective tenants before leasing their properties.
The government has compiled a list of properties used for kidnapping and plans to demolish them soon, as a warning to others. Onyia added, “There is no hiding place for criminal elements in Enugu State. They either repent, leave town, or meet their waterloo; the choice is theirs.”
