The Benue State government has demolished two houses belonging to a wanted kidnapper and robber Azonto in Sankera axis of Makurdi the Benue State capital.
The Demolition was carried out under the Benue State Law of Anti-kidnapping 2017 signed into law by Governor Samuel Ortom. The law, Adoption, Hostage-taking, kidnapping, Secret Cult and Other Related Offences, 2017 was signed along the Benue State Anti-open Grazing Law in 2017.
The law of Adoption, hostage-taking, kidnapping, secret cult and other related offences stipulate stiffer punishment for offenders and gives more powers to law enforcement agents.
According to the highlights of the kidnapping and hostage-taking law stipulates that anyone whose house is used for unlawful detention and kidnapping if found guilty are liable to a death sentence.
Anyone found guilty of hostage-taking on a conviction will earn ten years jail term while anyone tried for an act of terrorism and found guilty will be liable to 14 years jail term.
Anyone whose premises are used for taking hostage, such property will be forfeited to the government; also any threat to the person on kidnapping is liable to seven years jail term.
Men of Operation Zenda JTF on tip-off earlier picked Azonto’s wingman and wife in Benue State with millions of naira meant for buying arms and ammunition and properties for Azonto hides somewhere in the bush and commits all manner of criminal acts.
Mr Torlumun Steven and Mrs Mwuese, wife of Aondofa Cephas Chekele aka Azonto lead the commander of Operation Zenda JTF and other police officers to the two houses where the demolition took place.
They confess that the houses are used as kidnapping den where Azonto hides his victims and negotiates ransom on their heads.
The first House is located off Federal housing estate Phase 1 Nortbank is a four-bedroom Apartment and the second within the same area is a two-bedroom flat all were pulled down before the watch of Men from Urban Development Board and Azonto neighbours.
The Commander of Operation Zenda JTF Chief Superintendent of Police CSP Justine Gberindyer said the police are not going to rest until they bring kidnappers to their knees in the state.
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