Enugu: Security heads vow to end kidnapping along Ugwogo-Opi road
…As Gov. Ugwuanyi, Army GOC, Police CP, DSS Director, others visit hideouts, take decisive measures
Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State, on Thursday, led the General Officer Commanding (GOC) 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Umar Musa, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Ammani, the Director of Department of State Services (DSS) H.M Daluwa, the Garrison Commander, 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Brig. Gen. M.K Ibrahim, among others, to Ugwogo-Opi road on a strategic assessment of the area, including the hideouts of kidnappers, with a view to decisively ending the recent kidnapping incidents along the road.Addressing newsmen during the on-the-spot assessment visit, the GOC, 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Maj. Gen. Musa, who spoke on behalf of the other heads of security agencies in the state, confirmed that “the perpetrators are purely kidnappers.”
He assured the public that the combined-team of the security agencies are taking further steps into the bush to apprehend the perpetrators, rescue the victims and end the menace along the road.
“I assure you that we are going to go deep into the bush to pursue them and ensure they do not perpetrate more harm along the road,” he said.
Acknowledging the presence of Gov. Ugwuanyi on the visit and his utmost commitment towards ending the security challenges being posed by the hoodlums along the Ugwogo-Opi road, the GOC assured the public that “these criminals will be fished out and they will be dealt with.”Maj. Gen. Musa advised members of the public to report to the security agencies whenever there is any incident rather than rushing to the social media, stressing that “news items on social media platforms are usually unconfirmed incidents and could send wrong notion to the public.”
The GOC maintained that Enugu remains a peaceful state notwithstanding the unfortunate incidents along Ugwogo-Opi road, saying: “We are here; we have seen the deployment; this state is peaceful but once in a while you have criminals and I assure you that these criminals will be fished out and they will be dealt with.”
Earlier, Gov. Ugwuanyi visited the GOC 82 Division of the Nigeria Army in his office in Enugu where they met behind closed doors before they embarked on the assessment visit to Ugwogo-Opi road with other heads of security agencies.
The kidnapping of a young girl along Ugwuogo-Opi road in Osu LGA of Anambra State in some areas of Oruku town, Orukotan LGA of Anambra state has been described as the most bizarre and terrifying incident in recent times. The move by the army GOC makes sense. There is need for heightening security in this area and other similar black spots in the neighboring states.