The Enugu state Government says the buildings around the Enugu Centenary City were demolished last Friday based on intelligence reports that the property has become a kidnappers’ den.
The commissioner for Information, Aka Eze Aka, and the Executive Chairman of the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority Uche Anya, gave the explanation following series of controversies generated since the demolition.
The media space has been flooded with this trending online video since Friday, alleging that the Enugu Government in Southeast Nigeria demolished over 200 buildings at the Centenary City.
In the video, a man popularly called Untouchable was seen appealing to Gov. Peter Mbah to intervene and prevent further demolition of people’s investments.
The Enugu state government has owned up to the demolitions at the Obeagu-Awkunanaw community in Enugu South Local Government Area.
It is a vast area surrounded by bushes.
The state Commissioner for Information and the Enugu Capital Territory Development Authority ECTDA chairman say the operation last Friday was based on an intelligence report of it being a kidnappers’ den, and led to the recovery of arms, surveillance, and communication equipment, as well as the arrest of suspected kidnappers.
Anya notes that the video of a marked, undemolished property trending on social media falls into the category of unauthorized buildings notified since October 2023, for developers to regularize their titles.
Meanwhile, a statement from the state police confirmed the arrest of three male suspects in the said operation.
The spokesperson of the police in the state DSP Daniel Ndukwe notes that preliminary investigations reveal that the criminals and their cohorts have been using the location as a hideout for planning and executing criminal activities, including armed robbery and kidnapping within Enugu metropolis and environs.
Editor: Ena Agbanoma
