Tina Stephen
The Igbu Upata Council of Traditional Rulers and Chiefs have vowed that, henceforth, they will resort to demolishing of houses used or owned by kidnappers and armed robbers.
The Council also warned that parents and landlords, including Community Head Chiefs and youth leaders who fail to report criminal activities will be arrested and prosecuted.
Eze Felix Enene Otuwarikpo, Eze Igbu Upata III, disclosed this at a security meeting held with the youths of Udebu community at the community’s town hall on Saturday.
Eze Felix Enene was accompanied by HRH Eze Kelvin Ngozi Anugwo, Nye Udu Ede Upata; CSP Job Simeon, Divisional Police Officer, Ahoada Police Division and other Chiefs and aides.
The CSP, said the decision to demolish houses is in compliance with relevant laws that says kidnappers and armed robbers must not benefit from the proceeds of their crime.
He also added that demolition of houses would dissuade people from harbouring criminals and would assist to reduce crime.
Eze Otuwarikpo, who was livid with anger, urged the youths to mobilize against crime, stressing that “we cannot continue this way as a people, where criminals use this village as hideout”.
Warning against acting in cohort, Eze Otuwarikpo informed that “those who harbour kidnappers and armed robbers will be arrested and their houses demolished.
” Youth leaders, landlords, community Chiefs and parents who fail to report the activities of these criminals will be arrested and prosecuted”, he warned.
“I have the primary responsibility to defend Upata. Criminality cannot be allowed and it doesn’t promote development. I have to end this in clear collaboration with security agencies.
” We mean business to sanitize our communities using every resource at our disposal to fight crime and we must be united”.
On the coming local government elections, the monarch warned politicians not to resort to desperation as a means through which votes would be won because those who engage in thuggery, according to him, will be sanctioned.
HRH Kelvin Ngozi Anugwo, Nye Udu Ede Upata, decried the high rate of indiscipline amongst the youths, while he advocated that landlords should evolve means at which to screen their tenants.
He further urged that “we must mobilize against these criminal elements in our midst to avoid been hunted tomorrow. Let us simply aver that crime is evil and it does no one any good” he cautioned.
CSP Simeon confirmed that an order is in place for police to shoot criminals at sight. He advised those with guns to take advantage of the opportunity provided by the recent Arms Mop-Up programme to hand them over to the police.
The Police Chief praised the Igbu Upata monarch for his strong stand against crime, assuring that the police will provide the necessary operational backup to rid the area of criminals.
Eze Otuwarikpo and his team were also at Ihuike Community, where the use of motorcycle after 8pm was banned. The ban covers Edeoha, Okporowo, Udebu and Ihuike communities, designated as security flash points.
