By GEOFFREY ANYANWU, Awka

… As Obiano demolishes church, 4 other buildings
  In line with its policy of demolishing houses of kidnap   suspects and those used for kidnapping, Anambra State Government yesterday demolished a  church building and four other buildings in Awkuzu in Oyi Local Government Area of the State, belonging to suspected kidnappers.The demolition followed the revocation of Certificate of Occupancy (C of O) of the buildings by the state government.

The church, Unchangeable God Ministries and two of the buildings were located at Umuobi, Awkuzu while the other two were located at Dusogu and Ifite villages in Awkuzu.  Also, two of the buildings were said to belong to one Ifeanyi Nwaezeagu, the general overseer of the church.

The Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Olafimihan Adeoye, and the officer in charge of Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS), James Nwafor, led the demolition team.

Meanwhile, the state police command yesterday paraded 15 suspected kidnappers and armed robbers, including a dismissed army officer at the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) headquarters in Awkuzu.

According to the state Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Emeka Chukwuemeka (DSP), police recovered dangerous weapons, which included one rocket launcher, one rocket, 50 magazines for AK 47 rifle and 300 rounds of 7.62 mm life ammunition, from the suspects.

He also said 10 of the suspects were kidnappers, while five were armed robbers and car-snatching syndicate using fake number plates.

The police image-maker praised Nwafor and his men for their diligence in arresting the criminals.

Also speaking, the DCP operations said the demolition was in compliance with the law and to ensure that the kidnappers and robbers did not benefit from proceeds of crime.

He alleged that one of the suspects, Pastor Nwaezeagu, had garnered millions of naira from kidnap proceeds and was involved in kidnap of many wealthy Anambra citizens including a priest, adding that the general overseer was fake and had been in kidnapping business for a long time until he was caught in 2013.

He said the suspect’s confessional statements led to the unraveling of members of his gang before Governor Obiano revoked his C of O which led to the  demolition of his church and buildings.


Source: Sun