The police in Anambra State have demolished two operational bases of suspected notorious kidnap kingpins in Eziowelle, Idemili North and Azigbo in Nnewi South Local Government Areas of the state.

According to the Assistant Commissioner of Police in the state, Mr Joseph Agugoesi, the suspects have used the buildings to make millions of Naira through their kidnapping activities.

The latest incident was in Eziowelle, where in a bid to collect ransom, they encountered the police and in the ensuing exchange of fire five of them were gunned down and several others arrested.

The community members, who trooped out to witness the event, told stories of the suspect who used to run a beer parlor in the community and committed all sorts of crimes. They said they were happy with what the government was doing.

The demolition team from Eziowelle headed for Azigbo in Nnewi South local government area of the state where the hideout of two notorious kidnap suspects was also pulled down.

The suspects, Emeka Chukwuka Mpkuechina and Onyekachi Onuegbu, were said to have kidnapped Mrs Justina Ezenwafor and kept her in the den for days and only released her when a ransom of four million Naira was paid. The duo were, however, rounded up and arrested by the police when they went to collect ransom for another victim.

The state governor, Willie Obiano, after the demolition, urged the people of the state, especially investors, to continue their activities, as the state is still safe and secure.

Governor Obiano promised them that under his watch, and with the help of security agencies in the state, the command and control centers of criminal elements in the state would not be allowed to thrive.

The governor revealed that no kidnap attempt had been successful in the state in the last one year and that those arrested were being prosecuted.

He, however, warned criminals to ‘relocate elsewhere’, as there is zero tolerance of criminality in Anambra State.