The Enugu State Government has announced plans to demolish properties used for kidnapping, including private homes and businesses.
Secretary to the State Government, Prof. Chidiebere Onyia, made this announcement on Tuesday evening. The government aims to rid the state of crime and criminality.
This move is based on the amended Criminal Code Law of Enugu State, passed in November 2016 and signed into law by former Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi in January 2017. Section 315 of the law states that buildings or structures used for kidnapping can be demolished or forfeited to the state.
However, citizens have questioned why the law has not been enforced in the past eight years. In response, the current administration has been taking the time to conduct thorough investigations to ensure that no one suffers unnecessary losses or miscarriages of justice.
The government is now prepared to take action, striking a balance between justice and fairness.
The government warned property owners to take necessary steps to know their prospective tenants before leasing properties to them.
“Now, after due diligence, the government has compiled the properties used for kidnapping purposes in recent times and they will go down sooner than later to serve a deterrent to others.
“There is no hiding place for criminal elements in Enugu State. They either repent, leave town or meet their Waterloo. The choice is theirs”.
