BY AMOS DUNIA, ABUJA – The Nigeria Police on Saturday, June 10, 2017 recorded a major breakthrough in the fight against kidnapping in the country.
This followed the arrest of the most wanted kidnapper by name Chukwudi Dumeme Onuamadike a.k.a EVANS, who is believed to be the most vicious and dangerous kidnapper in the country.
The arrest of Onuamadike, a native of Nnewi in Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State, was carried out by the Joint Special Forces of the Nigeria Police led by the Intelligence Response Team, the Lagos State Police Command’s Anti-Kidnapping Unit and Technical and Intelligent Unit of the Force under the supervision of the Commissioner of Police, Lagos State.
Parading the suspect, the Force Public Relations Officer, CSP Jimoh Moshood, said Dumeme Onuamadike is vicious leader of a highly organized kidnap-for-ransom syndicate and criminal gang terrorizing people and responsible for several kidnap of notable/prominent Nigerians in Lagos State, including the Western, Eastern, South-South and some Northern States.
The Police said Onuamadike, who has his gangs active and spread across the above mentioned states, was arrested after an intense gun battle between his gang and the special Joint Team that lasted several hours.
The Police spokesman said he and his gang were overpowered by the Superior Fire Power of the Joint Special Forces and was finally arrested at Magodo Estate, Ikeja Area of Lagos State.
The Police said the suspect was first declared wanted in August, 2013 when he masterminded the attempted kidnap of Chief Vincent Obianudo, owner of Young Shall Grow Motors in Festac, Lagos, where a Policeman attached to the victim foiled the attack and killed three ‘3’ of Evans gang members but also lost his life in the process.
The Force PRO further said; “Some of Evans gang members were subsequently arrested, but he re-grouped after with several gangs and became more vicious and unleashed terror in the mentioned States of the Federation.
“EVANS and his gangs usually keep their victims kidnapped in Lagos Area at House No. 21 Prophet Asaye Close New Igando, Lagos State until the ransom is paid to him. Ransom money are paid to him in millions of dollars, some victims are kept for upward of six to seven months until the last penny is paid. He never reduces his tagged ransom money. None of his gang members knows his house.”
Moshood explained that the modus operandi used by the deadly Evans, include using a separate armed group in every kidnap attack of victims and has another armed group who takes over the victim to their hideouts and prevent them from escaping.
According to Moshood; “The members of the two groups don’t know each other. They complied with Evans instructions. Evans and the dreaded vampire, who died during a gun duel with the Police Special Forces led by IRT and Imo State Police Command in a forest in River State early this year, are axis of evil in kidnappings in Southern Nigeria States and some Northern State.
“This is a huge success for the Nigeria Police Force. The Force will build on this success and continue to prevent kidnap cases and criminality generally in the country, and ensure prompt detection of those crimes that cannot be prevented, and also ensure that perpetrators are arrested, investigated and prosecuted.
The police also said Properties owned by Evans include two Mansions in Magodo GRA Phase 2 worth about three hundred million Naira (N300,000,000) as well as two (2) Houses in the Highbrow area of Accra City in Ghana among many other properties such as exotic cars, expensive watches, jewelleries among other valuables he bought from the ransom.
According to the Police, Evans gang members include; one Felix Chinemerem 36 years, a native of Arichukwu Ohafia LGA of Abia State, who is second in command to Evans, Nwosu Chikodi Chukwuma aka Sudo 42 years, who is 3rd in Command to Evans and believed to have over 20years experience in Armed robbery and about 8years experience in Kidnapping.
Others include; Uchechukwu Amadi, a native of Anambra State, who is a longtime boy to Evans and head of the detention Camp in Igando as well as one Ogechi Amadi, who is the lady that rented the house and cooks for the Kidnappers and their victims in the camp and Suoyo Paul aka Nwana, 42 years, a native of Bayelsa States, who is a Gang member and Supplier of rifles and ammunitions to Evans in addition to Ikenna Emeka, 28 years, a native of Anambra State.
The Police said Evans and his gangs confessed to all the kidnappings linked to them and made confessional statements to the various roles they played in the commission of the crimes during interrogation and preliminary investigations.
Moshood said the kidnappers would be charged to court on completion of investigation.
