Imo Govt Demolishes Criminal Hideout, Ama-Hausa In Owerri
The Imo State Government has demolished a notorious criminal shanty hideout in Ama-Hausa area of Douglass road in Owerri the Imo State capital.
The demolition was carried out by the Special Adviser to the Governor on Monitoring and Compliance, Hon. Nze Chinasa Nwaneri on Wednesday.
The hideout served as a hub for drug peddling, gun running and all manner of illicit activities, the government said.
In a viral video seen online by THE WHISTLER, a caterpillar could be seen pulling down the shanties while the person capturing the activities said “this a criminal hideout at Ama-Hausa Douglass road, but the Imo State Government have demolished it.”
According to Nwaneri, the structure had been monitored for an extended period after it was recognized as a hub for hardened criminals engaged in the trafficking of hard drugs, illegal weapons, and facilitating other violent offenses that jeopardize the peace and security of the local populace, subsequent to a report from a civic-minded citizen who alerted the state government.
He said: “Our message is clear: Imo State will not be a safe haven for criminals. We are going after every syndicate, every drug peddler, and every gun runner. No one is above the law, and no criminal enterprise will be tolerated.”
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Several suspects were detained at the location and have been transferred to the appropriate security agencies for questioning and legal action.
Leaders and members of the Hausa community in Imo State have praised the government’s decisive measures. They characterized the demolition as a welcome relief, emphasizing that it will assist in purging their community of the few negative elements that are damaging their reputation and jeopardizing peaceful coexistence.
They expressed their appreciation to the governor, for his bravery and impartiality, reaffirming their ongoing support for all legitimate efforts to eliminate crime from the state, irrespective of who is involved.
The Government urges landlords, market unions, and community leaders to remain alert and report any suspicious activities within their areas as anyone who assists or shelters criminals will be regarded as an accomplice and will face appropriate consequences.