BENUE: Govt demolishes suspected kidnapper’s houses in Makurdi

THE State government yesterday demolished two houses belonging to a suspected kidnap kingpin, Aondofa Cephas Chekele aka Azonto.

One of the houses, located at North Bank in Makurdi, the state capital, was demolished in compliance with the Benue State anti-kidnapping law.

Azonto is the second-in-command to the slain Benue top militia, Terwase Akwaza aka Gana, who was killed by the military last September 8.

Operatives of the Operation Zenda had earlier arrested the kidnapper’s first wife, Mwuese and his main man, Torlumun Steven.

The duo were reportedly caught with millions of naira supposedly meant for buying of arms and properties for Azonto.

They later led the commander of Operation Zenda JTF, CSP Justine Gberindyer, and other police officers to the two houses that were demolished.

They told security agents that the houses were used as hideouts by the criminals.

The first house, which is located near the Federal Housing Estate, Phase 1 North Bank, is a four-bedroom apartment while the second is a two-bedroom flat.

Gberindyer, who spoke to journalists after the demolition exercise, said the Benue State government would rid the state of kidnappers and other criminals terrorising the citizens.