As the crime of kidnapping gradually rears its ugly head in Abia, Governor Ikpeazu has vowed that any house, premises or facilities which harbour any gang of criminals, particularly kidnappers will be pulled down by the state.

He said in a statement signed by his Chief Press Secretary, Godwin Adindu, that any compound where a kidnapper lives and any hotel or public facility that accommodates a kidnapper or from where a kidnapper operates will be demolished.

The Governor said it is incumbent upon every member of the public to give out information on any shady character living in their midst, stressing that security must be everybody’s business in the fight against kidnapping and all other heinous crimes.

He said the spate of kidnappings that happened in the Aba area in recent days is unacceptable to the government and that he is ready to take every drastic measure to stem the tide.

Ikpeazu frowned at the resurgence of this crime in the state, declaring that it has been a big embarrassment to the government and people of Abia State.

“He disclosed that the government is on top of the situation and will soon deploy patrol vehicles for all round the clock surveillance in some designated areas and called on the public to be suspicious of any secret movement and be free to report same to the security agencies without any hesitation,” the statement said:

“He urged the military to intensify on their patrol and surveillance, promising that the state will give the necessary incentive towards the operation.

“The Governor also called for joint operation and cooperation among all the security agencies and paramilitary especially in the area of intelligence gathering, adding that the war against kidnapping demand a coordinated synergy by all the units of our law enforcement agencies.

“Governor Ikpeazu, therefore, warned to the criminals terrorising the state and their collaborators to leave the state as the place will become too hot and unbearable for them.”

•Photo shows Governor Ikpeazu.