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Tag: Enugu State

  • Police investigate alleged murder of man by his brother in Enugu

    The Police in Enugu State are investigating alleged murder of one Chizoba Ogbonna-Izuchukwu, 46, by his brother, Raphael Izuchukwu, 4o, in Igboeze North Local Government area of the state.

    Read Also:Alleged murder: Court releases Lagos PDP Chairman, Moshood Salvador

    The Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Ebere Amaraizu, said in Enugu on Wednesday that the incident happened on Aug. 3.

    Amaraizu said that preliminary investigation showed that the suspect confessed to killing his brother and burying him in the early hours of Aug. 3.

    He said that the suspect claimed that deceased had been sick for long and there was no money to continue bearing the costs of his brother’s treatment.

    The spokesman said the police arrested the suspect following a tip off.

    “The sleepy and calm community of Ugwuagbo-Inyi in Igboeze North Local Government Area of Enugu State was thrown into mourning as the news of the killing and burying of a brother by another brother was released to the members of the public.

    “It was gathered that one Raphael Izuchukwu from Ugwuagbo-Inyi community had, on that fateful day, killed his elder brother identified as one Chizoba Ogbonna-Izuchukwu and went ahead to bury him.

    “Full scale investigations have commenced as the suspect is now helping the police in their investigations,’’ he said.

    NAN

     

  • Group nominates Ugwuanyi for ‘Best Governor Award’

    An Abuja-based group, Security Watch Africa, has nominated Gov. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi of Enugu State as the “Best Governor on Security Matters’’ and for “Best Security and Safety Conscious State Government’’ in Africa.

    Mr Patrick Agbambu, Managing Director of the group also disclosed that the Police Command in Enugu State was nominated for the “Best Pro-active Police Command in West and Central Africa’’ award.

    Agbambu, who presented the letters of nomination in Enugu on Friday, said that the Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Mohammed Danmallam, was also presented nomination letters for two awards.

    He said the awards to the commissioner were for “Best Conflicts Resolution Police Chief in Africa’’ and “Golden Star Award for Exemplary National Security Service in West and Central Africa’’.

    Agbambu noted that a survey conducted by independent security observers, revealed that Ugwuanyi’s administration had done well in the area of massive support to security agencies.

    He also noted that the Police command in Enugu had done well in proactive and community-oriented policing.

    “The command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Ebere Amaraizu, was found worthy on his proactiveness, responsiveness and effective engagement with the command’s public and commitment to the protection of lives and property in the state in 2017/2018,’’ he said.

    Read Also: Ugwuanyi’s swears in panel members on monarch’s death

    Danmallam, who received the letters on behalf of the governor, thanked the group for seeing and recognising Ugwuanyi’s modest contribution and the command’s officers and men for ensuring the safety and security in the state and by extension the country.

    “The reward for exemplary hard work is more work in order to get close to perfection in what we do daily for the betterment of the society.

    “I will dedicate all these nominations to the gallant officers and men of the command who are working tirelessly daily.

    “I will also dedicate it to the state government, sister security agencies, organisations and individuals that have assisted the command and its personnel to attain this height,’’ Danmallam said.

    Amaraizu also received a nomination letter for “Effective Police Public Relations in West and Central Africa’’, while DSP Ekeleme Chidobe, received a nomination letter as “Best Anti-Crime Police Officer in Nigeria’’.

    The 15th edition of the Africa Security Watch awards and conference will hold between Nov.6 and Nov. 8 in Banjul, Gambia.

    NAN

  • Enugu: Chief judge pardons 129 inmates

    No fewer than 129 prisoners were granted pardon in three prisons in Enugu State by the state’s Chief Judge, Justice Priscilla Emehelu as she concludes the 2018 jail delivery sessions.

    Emehelu on Tuesday, during the conclusion of the exercise in Oji-River Minimum Security Prison, urged the released prisoners to, henceforth, desist from crime and lead a reformed life.

    She said the exercise was in accordance with Section 1 (a,b) of the Criminal Justice (Release from Custody) Special Provisions Act, Laws of the Federation of Nigeria, 2007 and Sections 34 (1), 35 (1) and 36 (5) of the 1999 Constitution of Nigeria (as amended).

    Emehelu lamented the congestion in various prisons in the state and called for immediate measures to address deviant behavoiur in the society.

    “We, judges are mindful of the onerous challenge of prison congestion and have consistently worked with stakeholders in the justice sector to ensure speedy and sustained case flow management.

    “It is part of the commitment to effective justice delivery that necessitates our periodic visit to prisons, to provide bail and the release of inmates who have exceeded required prison term,” she said.

    The chief judge pledged commitment of the judiciary to ensuring speedy dispensation of justice and expressed optimism that modern prisons would soon be built across the country, as promised by the Minister of Interior.

    She assured that another session of the exercise would be conducted in December, to further decongest the prisons.

    Emehelu commended the Controller of Prisons in Enugu state, Mr Ndubuisi Ogbodo, for ensuring that Enugu prisons becomes a reference point for others.

    Earlier, the Controller of Enugu Prisons Command, Ogbodo appealed to the Chief Judge for clemency to sick old and juvenile inmates.

    Ogbodo said inmates recommended for pardon were now reformed and had pledged to desist from committing any crime that could land them in prison again.

    “These ones have embraced the service change mantra imbued in them through the Prisons Special Study Centre of the National Open University of Nigeria (NOUN) programme.

    “They performed excellently well in the programme at the undergraduate and post-graduate level with outstanding results and will be easily accepted back into the society,” he said.

    He thanked the Chief Judge for her cooperation and described as `unprecedented’ the number of inmates pardoned during the exercise.

    A pardoned inmate, Ndubuisi Nwabueze, expressed happiness that he would go home after serving two years in prison.

    He was sentenced in 2016 after being found guilty of  attempted murder.

  • Police nab fake currency note producer

    The Enugu State Police Command has arrested a suspected fake currency note producer.

    The Command’s spokesman, SP Ebere Amaraizu, said in a statement in Enugu on Sunday that the suspect, one Collins Oputa, was nabbed on July 26.

    Amaraizu noted that the feat was achieved by police operatives of the Ogui Police Division of the Command.

    “Oputa, who claimed that he is a native of Ohaji community in Imo State but residing at 4 Fatimo Close in Ijegun, Lagos State, was nabbed in Lagos.

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    “His arrest followed a manhunt initiated based on intelligence information gathered on his alleged criminal activities of producing and giving the fake currency naira notes to his agents for circulation,’’ he said.

    Amaraizu said that the suspect had been helping police operatives in their investigation in relation to his alleged criminal activities with his cohorts.

    On his part, Oputa blamed the situation of his alleged involvement into the illicit act to satan and pledged to quit the illicit business if he was forgiven.

  • Senate to EFCC, Police: Vacate Ekweremadu’s residence

    The Senate on Tuesday resolved to ask operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC) and police laying siege to the residence of Deputy Senate President, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, to vacate residence without further delay.

    The upper chamber said that the security operatives must allow Ekweremadu to enjoy his constitutional rights as a free citizen of the country.

    The resolution followed the adoption of a motion by Senator Chukwuka Utazi (Enugu North)

    Utazi told the Senate that the siege on Ekweremadu’s residence by security operatives was a violation of his right to move freely.

    He said, “This morning I left Enugu for Abuja to attend today’s sitting.

    “Half way into the airport, I received a distress call from the aides working with the Deputy Senate President that his residence and the entire street had been cordoned off and nobody can move out of the house.

    “As I am talking the people of Enugu State resident in Abuja have moved to Ekweremadu’s residence and they are there shouting in the rain for his release.

    “What offence has he committed that would warrant his wife and children to be denied freedom to go about their duties.

    “People are worried. We want to know what he has done.

    “Some people told me that they heard some people wanted to defect today and because of that they don’t want him to come to the sitting.

    “I also heard that they don’t want the senate president to come so that both presiding officers will not be here but thank God that the Senate President is in this place.”

    Utazi prayed the Senate to demand that Ekweremadu’s residence be immediately vacated.

    Senator Samuel Anyanwu (Imo East) who seconded the motion noted that the occupation of Ekweremadu’s residence was a threat to democracy.

    He said, “I was with Ekweremadu on Tuesday and there was no notice from the Police. I wonder why his house is under siege today.

    “If he is wanted they should invite him and he will respond.

    Read Also: Enugu community hails Ekweremadu’s representation

    “There will be tomorrow. No matter the intimidation my confidence in you and Ekweremadu is renewed and we must protect this institution.”

    Senator Emmanuel Bwacha (Taraba South)who also supported the motion said that the development was not only a threat on democracy but the unity of the country.

    He said, “It is with a heavy heart I rise to contribute to this. This is not only threat to democracy but the unity of the country and we need to thread with caution. What is happening has never happened.

    “When I heard of the siege I became afraid

    “We need prayers and we have to stand up as statesmen. “It is about the institution and the matter is beyond political party but the threat on democracy.

    “I advise that security operatives should know that they are meant to protect us and no country has used violence to settle matters.

    “We can pack our things and go and those trying to dent the image of the president should be careful.”

    Before the adoption of the motion Saraki noted that there was also a siege to his house at the early hours of Tuesday.

    The Senate President said that he was meant to report to the Police due to the invitation to answer to alleged involvement in a robbery case in Offa some months ago but he could not do so.

    Saraki said that there would not have been Senate plenary if he had gone to the Police, due to the fact that Ekweremadu was prevented from leaving his house.

    He said, “Ekweremadu cannot come out for no fault of his and by the plan I wouldn’t have been here as well.

    “It was the intervention of Almighty God that I am here today.

    “The deputy senate president called me that he was blocked from coming out. Even my convoy was blocked.”

    Chairman, South East Senate Caucus, Senator Enyinnaya Abaribe also cried out over the dawn siege on the residences of and Ekweremadu by the police and the DSS operatives.

    Abaribe who called on “Well-meaning Nigerians and the International community for interventions to save our democracy,” said the country is fast cascading to tyranny and fascism.

    He said, “This dangerous route is unprecedented in modern democracy. It is a sinister plot to throw the country back to the dark age of military dictatorship. Too bad for our unity as a country.”

    Abaribe warned that silence in this circumstance, could sound a death knell on the already challenged unity of Nigeria.

    He said, “This is the time to speak up against the directorship and tyranny of executive arm of government against the parliament.

    “The legislature is the universally acclaimed bastion and symbol of democracy, so attacking this hallowed institution signals the end to our chequered match to enduring democracy.”

    Also a statement entitled “EFCC, Police, lay siege to Ekweremadu’s residence…No going in or out” said that the Apo Legislative Quarters residence of the Deputy President of the Senate, Senator Ike Ekweremadu, is currently under the siege of men of the Nigeria Police Force and the operatives of the Economic and Financial Crimes Commission (EFCC).

    It said that “With the Senate President Bukola Saraki, expected to report to the Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Nigeria Police Force in Guzappe Abuja, this Tuesday morning, Senator Ekweremadu is expected to preside over plenary.

    “They took over the entire vicinity before 6am. There is no going in or coming out. Meanwhile, there was no prior invitation to the Senator by any of the security agencies or the EFCC.”

    The statement was signed by the Special Adviser (Media) to Deputy Senate President, Uche Anichukwu.

    Meanwhile, the Senate adjourned plenary till September 28, 2018 to enable senators proceeds on their annual vacation.

  • Abandoned road rehabilitated, 35 years after

    After nearly three and a half decades, an abandoned road in Enugu State is being rehabilitated. The state government has revisited the much-dilapidated Ekochin/Ngwo/Milliken Hill Road, drawing applause the Ngwo community, the primary beneficiaries.

    The road, which was abandoned for 35 years by successive administrations, became a nightmare to the people whose cries and appeals failed to yield any result until Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi responded.

    Addressing newsmen in Enugu, a prominent politician from the area, Mr. Boniface Agu said that his people cannot forget the gesture in a hurry.

    “For wiping our tears; for hearing the cry of Ngwo people; for the lives that would be saved by this project, my people will never forget Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi.

    “This road was last rehabilitated in 1983 by the then governor of old Anambra State Jim Nwobodo and for years the road became so bad and a death trap. Lives were lost on this road just as road users suffered so much agony.

    Agu urged the governor not to relent in his current stride in infrastructural development which he noted has brought a new lease of life to the masses.

    Popularly known as Milliken hill road, as well as Ngwo-Enugu road, it was constructed during the colonial period by countless labourers drawn from neighbouring villages, using pick and axe to cut through thick bush and great stones.

    Milliken Hill is a famous tourist attraction in the beautiful city of Enugu, Enugu State.

    History has it that in 1908, a British expedition on its way to the middle belt from Awka, sighted the hill at Enugu Ngwo and reported back to Lagos.

    Interest in the mineral potential of the hill compelled the colonial government to send a team of mining engineers to the place in 1909 to prospect for silver, but the team struck coal instead.

    The Europeans settled at Ngwo on the top of the hill now called “Hilltop”. The 4.8km long Milliken Hill Road was constructed because of coal discovery on the hill, and it was named after the head engineer who designed the meandering road.

  • ICPC takes anti-corruption campaign to rural communities

    The Independent Corrupt Practices and other related Offences Commission (ICPC) has taken its anti-corruption campaign to rural communities of Enugu State.

    Officials of the commission, led by the South-east Zonal Commissioner, Mr Sule Amedu, on Friday in Abia, Udi Local Government Area of the state, addressed a town hall meeting organised by the commission.

    Officials of the local government council, traditional rulers and presidents general of community associations were in attendance.

    Amedu said that the meeting became necessary following the resolve of the commission to tackle corruption from its roots.

    He said that it had become imperative to enlist the services of traditional institutions, including monarchs in the onslaught against corruption.

    The zonal commissioner said that Nigerians from all walks of life were under obligation to ensure that the younger generation learnt to do the right things.

    According to him, since political and social leaders come from the rural areas which are under the authority of monarchs, it is a wonder that we continue to produce corrupt leaders.

    “Why have we continued to produce corrupt leaders? We accord such corrupt office holders recognition through chieftaincy titles and other forms of recognition.”

    Read Also: ICPC to arraign NDDC chief Ekere for frustrating investigation

    Amedu said that it had become imperative for the traditional institution to ensure that their subjects were not badly influenced.

    The zonal commissioner, who said that the commission desired to break the opportunities for corrupt tendencies, appealed to Nigerians to provide the necessary information needed to track down corrupt office holders.

    Amedu said that corruption had caused Nigerians much pains and underdevelopment, adding “we are involved in corruption because laid down rules are not obeyed.”

    In a presentation, the Head of Public Enlightenment in the zone, Mr Suleiman Achile, said that the sensitisation meeting was to put in place proactive measures in the fight against corruption.

    Achile said that the ICPC had decided to make its presence known in the rural communities through the formation of Anti-corruption Transparency Units (ACTU).

    He explained that the units would be the eyes of the commission in the rural communities and would report incidences of corruption, adding that volunteers would be empowered to do their work effectively.

    He said that the commission would inaugurate the ACTU in the local government area upon the recommendation of volunteers.

    Achile said that the commission had also remodeled the National Anti-Corruption Volunteer Corps (NAVC) in line with modern practices.

    He said that the NAVC, which was also a volunteer unit of the commission, was abused by self-seeking individuals.

    “The commission has now decided to finetune and re-brand it because officials of ICPC cannot be everywhere.

    “We welcome those who are ready to partner with us in the fight against corruption. Such people will be screened after their recommendation,” Achile said.

    In a remark, the traditional ruler of Udi Ancient Kingdom, Igwe Chris Ogakwu, blamed corruption on self-seeking politicians in the country.

    Ogakwu noted that corruption among political office holders enormous.

    “The problem with Nigeria and corruption is the activities of our new breed politicians. Many of them in leadership positions today are selfish.

    “The havoc they create in our rural communities is better imagined. Some of them do not allow people to come close to them unless you tell them what they want to hear.

    “Until we get the right people into positions of authority, especially, in the South-East; until we stop the corruption by the new breed politicians, we cannot go anywhere as a country,” Ogakwu said.

    NAN

  • Why Ugwuanyi has continued to get acclaim

    ON May 29, 2015, the good people of Enugu State, friends and well-wishers gathered in large numbers at the popular Michael Okpara, Square, Enugu, to witness the inauguration of a pragmatic leader, Governor Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, as the third executive governor of Enugu State.

    In his inaugural address, he promised to work assiduously towards entrenching peace and good governance in the state despite the nation’s daunting economic challenges.

    He pledged to embark on an aggressive infrastructural development across the state, especially in the rural areas, where the majority of the people reside. This vision was borne out of his humble disposition and passion for the wellbeing of the lowly and less privileged in the society; the long neglected and abandoned in the rural communities, who he describes as the true heroes of democracy.

    Consequently, Emene, Abakpa Nike, 9th Mile Corner and Nsukka – a university town founded over half a century ago and the second largest town in the state, among other satellite towns, got the endorsement of the stakeholders of the state for the governor to commence immediate development as a matter of priority. A committee on Enugu State Urban Renewal was constituted to ensure the full actualisation of the governor’s well-thought-out programmes in line with the four-point agenda, despite the nation’s economic reality.

    Three years down the line, Ugwuanyi’s administration, in spite of the state’s lean resources and its financial status as the third from bottom of the Federation allocation chart, was able to grab the bull by the horn in fulfillment of his promises to provide the dividends of democracy and create more urban centres to enhance rural development and boost economic activities in every corner of the state.

    Apart from regular payment of workers’ salaries, even at the time 27 states could not pay and numerous achievements in other spheres of the economy, Ugwuanyi’s administration embarked on massive development of urban and rural roads across the three senatorial districts of the state, focusing more on rural development.

    The governor, in keeping with his inaugural address, within three months after his inauguration simultaneously flagged-off construction and reconstruction of over eight massive road projects in 9th Mile Corner, Nsukka, Abakpa Nike and Emene, among others. Also in line with its rural development agenda, his administration simultaneously executed 35 grassroots development projects across the 17 local government areas..

    This was in addition to completion of works on projects started by the previous administration, such as the state-of-the art Enugu State Diagnostic Centre, the first of its kind in the Southeast geo-political zone, established to create hospital chains to make Enugu the preferred destination for receiving high quality and affordable healthcare delivery in the country.

    Another completed project was the new Lion Building, Government House, Abuja Building, parking lots, and fuel dump, among others.

    It is on record that the present administration in Enugu State has so far spent over N45 billion on road construction and rehabilitation across the state, covering about 300 kilometres. Since Enugu State was declared open and ready for business, more investors have continued to flood the state for investment opportunities as a result of the existing peace and secure business environment as well as the governor’s commitment to robust investment drive.

    With regular payment of workers’ salaries on 23rd of every month and the recent 13th month salary paid to all civil servants, including the local government staff as Christmas bonus, it is also on record that the administration has, within three years in office, recruited the highest number of primary and secondary school teachers ever in the history of the state to improve the quality of education in the state.

    His landmark achievements, too numerous to mention, have earned the peoples’ governor chains of endorsements for re-election in 2019 from all spheres of the society, including the religious institution, the entire PDP family in the state, leaders and members of opposition political parties, traders, civil servants, artisans, transporters, proprietors and teachers of private schools, local government workers, and pensioners, among others.

    Flowing from Ugwuanyi’s financial background and commitment to public expenditure management, the following outstanding ratings and commendations have ensued from the Senate on the judicious utilization of the bailout funds; the BudgIT report, which listed Enugu, Lagos and Rivers as the only three states out of the 36 states of the Federation that have fulfilled obligations to their workers; the recent Economic Confidential magazine verdict that listed Enugu among the seven states that are solvent with impressive over 30 per cent Internally Generated Revenue (IGR) to fund additional economic activities.

    Others include, the fifth most competitive state in Nigeria, according to the National Competitiveness Council of Nigeria; the third most debt sustainable State in Nigeria; the first state in Nigeria to publish its Audited State /Final Account for consecutive three years; first in the Southeast geo-political zone and ninth in the country based on IGR as against Federal Allocation; one of the twelve states in Nigeria that can survive without federal allocations, among others.

    It is because of his achievements that the governor has continued to get acclaim. His attainments confirm that with Ugwuanyi, Enugu State is truly in the hands of God!

     

    — Amoke wrote in from Enugu

  • Democracy Day: CP assures Enugu traders adequate protection

    The Commissioner of Police in Enugu State, Mr Mohammed Danmallam, on Friday assured traders in the state of adequate protection against hoodlums and pro-Biafra groups.

    Some pro-Biafra groups had allegedly written letters to the leaderships of various markets in the state, demanding that they shut down their markets on May 30.

    The group claimed that their directive for `sit-at-home’ demanded from traders on May 30, was for the celebration of `Biafra Heroes Day Anniversary’.

    The police boss in a meeting with market leaders in Enugu, said that the threat by the proscribed pro-Biafra groups was “unlawful, illegal and unconstitutional’’.

    He noted that the police was aware of the threat and posters the groups had been pasting within Enugu metropolis, announcing the `illegal activity’.

    “The command invited you to this meeting knowing the important role you play in providing security in the state.

    “We are aware of the threat to your businesses and we have decided to give your various markets adequate protection.

    Read Also: Enugu govt gives 150 schools ICT tools

    “I am assuring you as the commissioner that their threat will be met with force, as we have strategised on how your markets will be protected before, during and after May 30.

    “We are currently working with other sister security agencies on this matter and we have started joint show-of-force patrols, most of you must have seen us on the roads and streets close to your markets.

    “We are also going to deploy police officers and men directly to the market to nip any activity of hoodlums in the bud.

    ”Recently, the Nigerian Air Force in Enugu received two planes – a fighter jet and helicopter – meant to hover around and constantly monitor situations in the state,” he said.

    Danmallam, however, appealed to the market leaders to give confidential information to the police concerning those issuing the threat, so that they would be arrested on time.

    The commissioner said that the command would convene a similar meeting with students, banks and traditional leaders in the next few days.

    Responding, Mr Joe Anieze, Chairman of New Heaven Market, appealed to residents of the state to talk sense into their wards, adding that nobody benefits in an atmosphere of chaos.

    Anieze assured the commissioner that the organised traders would collaborate with the command to check all forms of threat to traders and their businesses.

    Mr Christian Igwesi, from Kenyatta Market, thanked the police for the meeting and urged the commissioner to make the interaction a frequent one.

    “We will support the efforts of the police and ensure that the hoodlums or whatever they call their name do not disrupt the means of our livelihood,’’ Igwesi said.

    NAN

  • Enugu residents decry high rate of burglary

    Residents of highbrow areas of Independence Layout, New Haven, GRA and Trans Ekulu in Enugu State have decried the high rate of houses and shops burgling.

    Correspondents  on Wednesday observed that people living in highbrow areas in Enugu have lost car batteries, household property and other items due to activities of burglars and petty thieves.

    Mrs Janet Okwor, a resident of Umuoji Street in Independence Layout, said that burglars robbed her house recently and they made away with some of her hand bags and ornaments.

    “On another day, as I was having a nap at noon and on the verge of stealing another one, I woke up and shouted, which led to them jumping out of the compound through the fence,’’ Okwor said.

    Mr Nnamdi Madu, a resident of Chime Avenue, New Haven also said that the rate of burglary was alarming as most tenants complained of phones, generating sets and laptop theft.

    Madu said that the burglars scaled his fence recently and took away the car battery he bought in less than one week.

    Mr Martins Odo, a resident of River Lane in GRA, said that the burglars made away with his television set and car radio about two weeks ago.

    Odo said that the household petty thieves even siphoned his car fuel frequently as they take advantage of porous security system in his neighbourhood as well as absence of people in most blocks to wreak havoc.

    A resident of Trans Ekulu, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said that his car battery was stolen during a church service he attended recently.

    “I came down after service to start my car, unknowingly to me, my car battery was stolen during the church service,’’ he said.

    Mr John Ogbonna, a resident of Independence Layout noted that the vigilance groups were no longer active within some areas in Enugu metropolis.

    When NAN contacted the state’s Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), SP Ebere Amaraizu, on the matter, he said that the police had fashioned out tactical move to nip the situation in the bud.

    Amaraizu said that the command had fashioned out Community Safety Programme initiative.

    The programme, he added, would incorporate locals of an area into the policing framework to get valid information concerning happenings and people living within their localities.

    “The people doing the petty stealing are not coming from outside, they are within or leaving within the scene of the crime.

    “So, Community Safety Programme, where most people in neighborhoods join in securing their place will help to fish out these thieves within localities.

    “Such persons will be confidentially reported to the police or neighbourhood watch groups for appropriate action,’’ he said.

    NAN