Anambra State governor, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, yesterday,read the riot act to gunmen operating in the state. He warned the hoodlums to relocate to another place as their days are numbered in the state.

The governor issued the warning after the raid and destruction of an alleged kidnappers’ den in Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area by security operatives.

Security operatives in the state had on Friday raided one of the hideouts of kidnappers at Oba, Idemili South Local Government Area where a building was destroyed.

Soludo said it had been established that the building demolished was being used as a hideout for criminal activities in the state.

The governor maintained that the government’s policy does not allow any criminality to reign in the state.

He said, ” henceforth, in line with the law, criminals will have no place in any part of Anambra state to hide.

“This government is fully determined to ensure that the state will be safe for everyone. The people will move freely around without fear or molestation.”

He commended the cooperation of some people in the state who, according to him, have been volunteering information, adding that every stranger would be suspected until his or her job was confirmed to be legitimate.

Soludo said that any building being used for any criminal activities would be brought down and confiscated by the government.

“The hideout had earlier been raided recently. Exhibits such as locally made pistol, shrine, charms, concoctions, Indian hemp, among other incriminating materials were recovered at the building with some arrests also made.

“However, it will be recalled that a gang of kidnappers were traced to the hideout by the Police, following an attack and subsequent kidnap of two persons at Oko, Orumba North Local Government Area, and another two persons in Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area.

“The gunmen had entered Oko through Nanka for a kidnap operation and were on the verge of succeeding before the prompt intervention of the police special force acting on a tip- off subsequently engaged them in gunfire.

“One of them was killed, but others escaped with various degrees of injuries.

“The gunman killed at Oko, whose video went viral on some social handles, was identified as a former vigilante who was part of a four-man gang who have been involved in high profile killings and kidnappings within that vicinity.

The state Police Command Spokesman, DSP Tochukwu Ikenga, had explained that the command received distress call about the kidnap of two persons at Oko, and while on their trail, they learnt that “the gang had kidnapped two more persons at Ekwulobia, and quickly pursued them and were able to track them down.”

Meanwhile, gunmen struck again yesterday in the state, kidnapping and killing one of the youth leaders of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA).

A source identified the victim as Hon Emeka Alaehobi, He was said to be an APGA youth leader in Nnewi South Local Government.

“ He was kidnapped on Friday, while his body was found at Utuh junction in Nnewi South Local Government Area this morning,” the source said.

Anambra State Police command spokesperson, Ikenga  Tochukwu ,confirmed that a corpse was discovered in the area on Saturday, but was unable to ascertain the identity of the corpse.

He said: “When our operatives got to the scene, the corpse had been removed by some persons we are yet to identify, and we have also ascertained that the corpse is that of the youth leader.”