Security Forces Capture 6 Gunmen, Arms in Enugu
The Enugu State Governor, Dr. Peter Ndubuisi Mbah has charged property owners in the state to do background checks on prospective tenants before entering into tenancy agreement.
Governor Mbah said this has become imperative as any property wherein criminals carry out their nefarious acts will be demolished no matter how ignorant of the act the property owner claims.
The State Governor said this on Friday at the Department of State Services (DSS) headquarters while inspecting caches of arms and ammunition recovered in the joint operations of the security agencies in the state; six notorious criminals on a security watch list in the state were nabbed in the operation.
“The arms and ammunition recovered include 17 AK-47 rifles, one General Purpose Machine Gun (GPMG), one rocket-propelled rifle, one tear-gas gun, 12 AK-47 magazines, two hand-held grenades, and three tear-gas canisters, and 1,071 rounds of ammunition (323 special ammunition, 270 rounds of 7.62mm NATO ammunition, and 478 rounds of 7.62mm ammunition). Also different quantities of various uniforms and four lanyards were recovered.”
Governor Mbah flanked by the State Director of the DSS, Mr. Humphery Ohikhuare; the Commissioner of Police, Enugu State Command, CP Mamman Bitrus Giwa; the Garrison Commander, 82 Division, Nigerian Army, Enugu, Brigadier General Garba Suru, and other senior security personnel said,
“First of all, I would like to acknowledge and salute the gallantry of our security agents. What we are witnessing here today is the triumph of vigilance, the triumph of hard work, and the triumph of dedication to duty.”
“Recall that sometime in December last year, we had an incident that took the lives of some of our officers. If you also cast your mind back at that time, the state government actually placed bounties on the heads of the criminals. We have before now been able to apprehend some of the criminals who participated in that heinous act. The people we have here today are those who have been on the run.”
“But we have always said in Enugu State that we have no room for criminals. And if you commit crime here, no matter how long it takes, we must identify you, we must get you, and we must ensure that you are brought to justice.”
“We are happy that officers who paid the ultimate price, their sacrifices have not been in vain because we are bringing to a close that chapter, where we now believe that these people will face justice,” the Enugu State Governor reiterates.
“It is also heartwarming for me and the people of Enugu State that the investment we have made in the security sector, and the cooperation and dedication of our security agencies in the state, is paying off.”
“We can see results with this tracking of criminal elements and cracking of criminal gangs. I am sure the people of Enugu State can now sleep knowing that we have their backs covered.”
“That is why we believe that there is no amount you invest in security that is too much.
“However, while we pride ourselves as major investors in technology, we must not forget that technology is also operated by humans. You will need a dedicated workforce. In most cases, you do not hear a lot in terms of the achievements we have recorded because the crimes are nipped in the bud, and it is to the credit of both our technology and vigilant officers,” Mbah disclosed.
The Governor then charged property owners to as a call of duty conduct background checks on their prospective tenants because the state government will not hesitate to prosecute property owners and demolish properties linked to violent crimes in the state.
“You cannot be exculpated on the ground that you said that you did not know. The law has placed the duty on you. You must ensure that you know who you are giving your house to as a landlord,” he reiterates.
As the Chairman of the Presidential Committee on the Revamp of Security Training Institutions, the Enugu State Governor, Peter Mbah hailed President Bola Tinubu for his commitment to security and the President’s support for the creation of state police and the revamp of security training facilities in Nigeria.
“We have received the funds to ensure that all the training institutions for our security agencies are rehabilitated and reconstructed. What that means is that we are going to also have standardization of training across the country,” Mbah disclosed.
Mbah further commended members of the House of Representatives for passing the State Police Bill.
“I commend them. This will essentially help us to eliminate the tragedy of the commons. And I believe as a state, we must take full responsibility to ensure that we provide effective security within our borders,” he concluded.
