The Benue State Government has demolished the building where the wife of the Commissioner for Land and Survey, Mrs. Ann Uneege was kept after she was kidnapped in Makurdi, the state capital.
The demolition took place after Governor Samuel Ortom gave the order in line with the provisions of the law on the prohibition of abduction, hostage-taking, kidnapping, cultism, and other related offenses.
The building, located at the BIPC Quarter, Nyinma layout, Makurdi, was pulled down by a bulldozer on Monday after the Operation Zenda security outfit killed three suspected kidnappers and rescued Mrs. Uneege.
The Security Adviser to the Governor, Col Paul Hemba (retd.), said the demolished structure was being used by kidnappers to keep their victims and negotiate ransoms, urging landlords to ensure proper profiling of would-be tenants before giving out their houses to them to avoid the demolition of such property.
Hemba added that the right of occupancy on the land, where the house was built, would be revoked in accordance with the law of the state.
The commissioner’s wife and her driver, who was abducted last Thursday around 6 pm in Makurdi were rescued by the police.
The police recovered two pump-action and one AK-47 rifle from the deceased kidnappers.
Ortom said, “I am here at the police headquarters to commend the AIG and the immediate past police commissioner and the Operation Zenda operatives, who came together to crack these Pharaohs that have been terrorizing the state in the last few weeks.
“They have been able to apprehend the kidnappers after a heavy gun duel. They also succeeded in rescuing the commissioner’s wife and her driver. We will not give up despite all the challenges.”
Public Relations Officer of the State Police Command, DSP Catherine Anene, said three suspected kidnappers died from gunshot injuries during the rescue operation, five suspects were arrested, while others were at large.
