Persons suspected to be thugs operating as sanitation officials within Asaba, Ogwashi-Uku, Ibusa and Okpanam communities in Delta State are alleged to be extorting unsuspecting residents during sanitation exercise.
It was gathered that the thugs often dressed in sanitation officials’ uniform(s) will block major streets within Asaba, Ogwashi-Uku, Ibusa, Okpanam during which they allegedly extort money from unsuspecting residents.
But the state Commissioner for Environment, Barr. John Nani in a swift reaction told DAILY POST; “We have thugs as officials of the monthly sanitation, these people who allegedly extort money from residents are criminals, we have the police to help fish them out, we have had several reports of their activities, they are idle, and criminals”.
Investigation revealed that unsuspecting residents who fall victim to these thugs, are allegedly extorted between N2, 000 and N3, 000 after being subjected to untold punishments.
Miss Edith Molokwu, a resident of Ogbeosowa in Asaba, who was last Saturday a victim, told DAILY POST’ “ I was sitting outside when three men in sanitation officials’ uniform pounced on me, they started flogging, everybody in my compound scampered, I was left alone, they demanded for N3,000, my sister then gave them N2,000” sources said in most cases, these thugs turned sanitation officials, issue receipt printed with Delta State Official Logo, and stamp to defaulters on payment of N4,000.
Mr. David Ndude, another resident in Asaba said; “I was issued a receipt for N4,000 because I failed to participate in the sanitation exercise last Saturday, the men were dressed as officials of the state sanitation exercise, I was afraid and I gave them the money, it was later we discovered they were fake”.
The state Police Image Maker, DSP Andrew Aniamaka who spoke to DAILY POST said; “We have arrested several of these thugs, before we put them in cell, some big politicians will be calling for their release, the system is really rotten, we will continue to do our duties, the police will not allow lawless persons in the state”.
Further investigation revealed that these thugs are alleged to be working for high-profile politicians, and have been branded’s sacred cows” especially in Oshimili South, North Local Government Councils where they frequent during environmental/sanitation exercise.
Oshimili South Council Boss, Mr. Emeka, Osadebe who spoke to DAILY POST said; “Yes we have received unhealthy reports about thugs, hijacking the sanitation exercise from our real officials, it is rather unfortunate, but I have set up a committee in collaboration with the police to bring the thugs to book”.
A respondent, Chuks Nwaokolo while lamenting the environmental-related plight currently being experienced in some residential areas in Asaba told DAILY POST; “Just take a walk to Ogbeogonogo market, Ibusa Junction, the menace of filth caused by food vendors operating along the road, especially in the drain in Ogbeogonogo market calls for emergency solution”.