There was jubilation all over Kogi state as the amiable state governor Governor Yayaha Bello yesterday ordered the demolition of the fortress in Odu owned by detained notorious criminal Zakari Yau.
The Governor's Chief press secretary Petra Akiniti Onyegbule who was part of the demolition exercise did a count of the exits in the demolished building. There are 11 pedestrian gates excluding the main gate.
Recall that demolition of criminal hideouts began in the Central Senatorial District. Beginning specifically from Okene, the LGA of the Governor.
Odu is in Dekina LGA, Kogi East Senatorial District.
Speaking on this development, the Governor's Chief press secretary, Petra Akiniti Onyegbule said that the demolition exercise is a welcome development and a prayer answered, hence the jubilation by residents of the state.
This is the beginning of the purge in Kogi East. Governor Bello has given uptil April 20th to criminals to willingly drop their arms and renounce crime to be considered for amnesty vowing not to rest on his oars until the state is safe. Governor Bello noted that the state is safer than it was when he took over in January 2016 but assured citizens of the state and Nigerians that he will rid the state of criminals.
"It is New Direction. Kogi must be safe and secure for all" the CPS to Governor Bello concluded.
Zakari Yau, who is said to be greatly feared in the underworld and currently in detention, is believed to be the number one political thug in Kogi State, wanted for many of the politically-motivated killings not only in Kogi State, but in Benue State as well.
The notorious criminal, who has nine wives and 15 children was arrested at a location in an operation between Okene and Akure by anti-kidnapping technical team, led by CSP Abba Kyari some time last year.
Investigations showed that the notorious criminal Zakari Yau was believed to be responsible for the spate of kidnappings and armed attacks witnessed on major highways in North Central states like Nasarawa, Niger, Kogi, Benue and along the Lokoja, Okene, Akure, Auchi roads. .
The demolition of the house is backed by the state's Anti Kidnapping, Robbery and Terrorism Law passed by the State House of Assembly and assented to by the Former state governor, Idris Wada.
This is his mission in kogi.
ReplyDeleteThat is a major step from the governor
ReplyDeleteThis is a good one. I'm hoping the governor has fortified himself.
ReplyDeleteYou think everyone uses N20 juju like you do?
DeleteNice one
ReplyDeletePetra when this people come for their pound flesh I hope Ruby wont be the sacrificial lamb.
ReplyDeleteGbese
ReplyDeleteHmmmmmm
ReplyDeleteWhy destroy it?
ReplyDeleteWhy not convert the building to a government ministry or agency location rather than demolish it
ReplyDeleteYou get kidney... And where are the people jubilating?
DeleteThank you anon. Or even a public library or something useful.
DeleteNa wah o
You get brain.... Or he can turn it to an orphanage, public school or health care center something that will be of benefit to people in that community....
DeleteI don't get, why destroy the properties, isn't that a waste of resources? The government a should seize the asset, complete and sell it or turn it to whatever they want to not destroy it.
ReplyDeleteIn my opinion, I don't think demolishing the area is the best. You have arrested the criminals that means the area is now safe. Why not confiscate the estate, complete the buildings and make the estate a low-cost housing estate where average and poor masses can live. My opinion though.
ReplyDelete#Vikenx-virus
It is a safe presumption that the property was developed from the proceeds of armed robbery and/or kidnapping, blood money, in the sense that a lot of lives were lost in the process of acquiring such"wealth".
DeleteHow would you feel if you were or someone you love was a victim of armed robbery or kidnapping and lives were lost in the process( Heaven forbid), then you hear the State Government has converted the landed properties built on such violence and blood shed, for official use? In civilised countries, no government should be allowed to benefit from the proceeds of criminality involving bloodshed. It's different if a person steals government funds, the recovered funds belong to the government in the first place, so the government has every right over such funds.
More importantly, the criminal law in Kogi State dictates that the government has the right to demolish any and all properties believed to be owned by criminals, to serve as a deterrent to other criminals. I guess the only query, if one must exist, is that the property is being demolished even before the alleged criminal has been convicted by a Court of law. Personally, I feel such structures and properties, including vehicles, acquired in such a dastardly way, deserve to be demolished and destroyed. Too much blood and tears... super negative energy radiates around such properties, no person or organisation should be allowed to own them regardless of how much society can benefit from them. Nothing good comes from a bad foundation.
@ronalda, you've said it all
DeleteWell said. Very well articulated opinion. Kudos!!
DeleteAnytime a building of criminals is demoted. You will see monkies with coconut head giving advice why it should not be destroy. My friends karma is real. If the govt want to build such building for library or whatever, they have thw funds.
DeleteAnd women can marry anything that has money. Imagine hiw many wives dis guy has.
The innocent lives this man has claimed are irreplaceable.Demolishing the house is nothing near his atrocities.
DeleteAll we are saying is "pay salaries and pensions. The demolition epp? After demolition people are still hungry, many children out of school and many sick with no access to health care. Misplaced priorities.
ReplyDeleteIts good but dangerous. Easy ooo
ReplyDeleteBello d only thing u knw how to do is destory. The roundabout u destory have u build it? Did you chase any criminal in dis house u just destory? God is watching you.
ReplyDeleteBello, onoja and ur foolish suppoters u ll surely reap wat u sow. U ve failed the same pple u swore to govern. Beware!
ReplyDeleteBello u eat everyday but d pple u govern has nothing to eat. Pple die everyday bcos of hunger. Nobody is doing anything abt it. What s d house of assembly member doing? Or have dem bn bribed or scared.wat a shame not to defend the pple u represent.bello bcos u dint suffer to become a governor therefor u dont knw d value. God punish u big time.
ReplyDeleteIf Zakari Yau is responsible for so many killing, why are they still keeping him alive and feeding him?
ReplyDeletewhy couldn't the building be turned into a hospital, orphanage or coppers lodge? why destroy such buildings/ I do not think the government was thinking at all . why cut of your nose to spite your face.
ReplyDelete