Minister of the Federal Capital Territory, FCT, Nyesom Wike, has slammed a former Minister of Transportation, Chibuike Amaechi.

Wike believes that Amaechi did not do anything for the people of Rivers during the eight years he was governor of the state.

Wike took on members of the opposition coalition during his monthly press conference in Abuja on Thursday.

The coalition on Wednesday decided to operate under the African Democratic Congress, ADC, in their bid to remove President Bola Tinubu from office, through the ballot, in 2027.

Amaechi is one of the leading political figures fronting the coalition, alongside former Governor of Kaduna, Nasir El-Rufai, former Senate President, David Mark, former vice president, Alhaji Atiku Abubakar, and former governor of Anambra, Peter Obi, among others.

Amaechi and Wike have remained political enemies for years, with no peace in sight.

Wike, “Ameachi – what did he do in Rivers? He was a governor in 2015; I defeated him.

“He became a super minister in 2019; I defeated him. In 2023, he supported Atiku; we defeated him.”

The Imo State Government has demolished a building allegedly use as a criminal hideout within the Ama Hausa axis in Owerri, the state capital.

OSUNDAILY NG learnt that the demolition was supervised by Special Adviser to the Governor on Monitoring and Compliance, Nze Chinasa Nwaneri.

Addressing journalists on the demolition, Nwaneri said the operation is part of actions being taken by Governor Hope Uzodinma to get criminals out of the state.

He also said that it shows the government’s total commitment to the zero-tolerance policy on crime.

Nwaneri hinted that the structure had long been under surveillance after being identified as a den for hardened criminals who allegedly specialize in trafficking hard drugs and illegal arms, as well as aiding other violent crimes which, according to him, threaten the peace and security of residents living in the area.

He narrated that the office carried out the operation with the assistance of the security agencies following a tip off by a patriotic citizen who brought it to the attention of the state government.

“Our message is clear. Imo State will not be a safe haven for criminals. We are going after every syndicate, every drug peddler, and every gun runner. No one is above the law, and no criminal enterprise will be tolerated,” Nwaneri declared.

Some suspects who were apprehended at the scene of the operation have been handed over to relevant security agencies for interrogation and prosecution.

Following the demolition, members of the Hausa community in the area, who asked not to be named, commended the government’s action in destroying the structure.

They described the demolition as a welcome development, noting that it will help cleanse their community of bad elements tarnishing their image and threatening peaceful coexistence.

The Hausa community also reaffirmed their continued support for every genuine effort to rid the srate of crime, regardless of who is involved.

Nwaneri in the same vein urged landlords, market unions and community leaders to be vigilant and report suspicious activities within their domains, adding that anyone aiding or harbouring criminals will be treated as an accomplice and dealt with accordingly.

He declared that the state is on a renewed path of safety and progress, stressing that under the current administration, criminals have no place to hide.