The Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, Ikioye Orutugu, has called on the state government to stop demolishing buildings linked to criminal activities, urging authorities to instead convert such properties into police stations or official residences for officers.
Orutugu made the appeal on Wednesday during a press briefing where he highlighted recent security breakthroughs recorded by the command, including the rescue of three kidnap victims in Nkpor, among them a medical doctor.
According to the police commissioner, the operation targeted a duplex allegedly owned by a suspected kidnap kingpin identified as Fabulous, where the victims had been held captive before the building was later set ablaze by angry residents.
The state currently operates under the 2025 Homeland Security Law, which empowers the government to demolish properties allegedly used for criminal activities or acquired through proceeds of crime.
However, Orutugu argued that destroying such structures was not the best approach.
He said, “In the case of the kidnappers of the Medical Director of Crown Hospital, Onitsha, the doctor was rescued alongside two other persons, but unfortunately, one of our police operatives paid the supreme price.
“We also restored peace in the area by stationing operatives there, when we heard that some indigenes mobilized to the home of the kidnapper and set it ablaze.
“We want to appeal to the government to stop demolishing or destroying such buildings. They should rather designate them as police post or even residences of police operatives. Some of these operatives you see here are not living in very comfortable places, so they need such buildings.”
The commissioner also outlined several operations carried out by the command in recent weeks, leading to the arrest of suspected kidnappers, cultists, armed robbers, child traffickers, sexual offenders and separatist agitators.
He further disclosed that security operatives recently carried out a clearance operation in Owerre-Ezukala in Orumba South Local Government Area following intelligence reports that members of a proscribed separatist group were attempting to regroup after an earlier raid on their camp.
According to him, one suspect identified as Nnamdi Nkemdilim Ogbonna, alleged to be a senior commander of the outlawed group, is currently in custody.
“Recall that the camp was earlier destroyed by a Joint Security Team. Before the confession, one Nnamdi Nkemdilim Ogbonna, male, aged 37 years, allegedly one of the top commanders of the proscribed secessionists group, is in custody as well as intelligence received over time points on how some escaped gang members were attempting to regroup.
“The offensive operation led to the recovery of one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG) with about 2,000 rounds of live chain ammunition, two fabricated rocket launchers with 25 propellers, 10 locally made Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), one locally made Beretta pistol, two pump-action guns, three hand grenades, 10 rounds of K2 live ammunition, one gas cylinder and one black Ecolac box.
“The operatives also dislodged the armed criminals and sustained operational dominance in the area to prevent any regrouping,” he said.
Orutugu assured residents that the command would sustain ongoing operations aimed at tackling criminality across the state.
“We urge residents to remain law-abiding, vigilant, and continue to support security agencies with credible and timely information. The Command also appreciates the support of the Inspector-General of Police, the Anambra State Government, sister security agencies, community leaders, and the good people of the State for their cooperation and partnership in the fight against crime,” he added.