Notorious kidnap kingpin Chukwudubem Onwuamadike alias Evans was yesterday arrested by the police in Lagos after five years of trailing him.
The native of Umudim, Nnewi was arrested at his Magodo residence around 1pm by operatives of the Inspector General of Police’ (IGP) Intelligence Response Team (IRT).
It was gathered that the operatives got intelligence Evans was hiding in his Magodo mansion where he was surrounded.
An officer said, “Evans is the most notorious high profile kidnapper in the history of Nigeria. He has collected billions of naira as ransom over the last seven years as the kingpin of kidnappers. He was arrested today (Saturday) in his Magodo mansion, Lagos.
“Evans, 36, is a native of Nnewi North Local Government Area of Anambra State. He kept his victims for six to seven months in captivity until when the families paid about N400m ransoms in installments before the victims were released.
“Several wealthy Nigerians living in Festac and Amuwo Odofin areas of Lagos relocated to Ikoyi, Lekki and Victoria Island and left their mansions empty because of Evans. He also has kidnap gangs that operate in Port Harcourt (Rivers State), Bayelsa and Delta states.”
The suspect was said to have run to the roof of the house for emergency exit but the policemen caught up with him.
In the course of his arrest, he slammed the door against the operatives and injured a policeman.
It was gathered that four AK47 rifles and over 50 magazines were recovered from the house.
Inspector General of Police Ibrahim Idris had announced N30million bounty for anyone with useful information that could lead to the arrest of Evans.
Evans, security forces said, has been responsible for many high profile armed robberies in the southwest, south and eastern parts of the country.
Evans was said to be a brilliant criminal, who has given security forces sleepless nights.
He was said to have collected billions of naira as ransom from his victims, including expatriates, business moguls and public office holders.
A police source, who hinted on the arrest, said Idris deployed all resources at the Force’ disposal in the hunt for Evans.
He said their focus in the last one month had been to catch Evans alive so that Nigerians can have peace.
On how the suspect was arrested, the source: “Someone called and gave information on his whereabouts. When we got there, he hid inside the roof of the house. He could not withstand the pressure on him from the police.
“While Vampire was the most deadly kidnapper in the history of Nigeria and was caught some months ago during a gun battle, Evans remains the most brilliant, richest and crafty kidnapper in the country’s history.”
Contacted, the police spokesman, Jimoh Moshood, a Chief Superintendent (CSP) said the suspect would be paraded this afternoon.
The suspect told police investigators he had two houses in Magodo, which he brought for N130million and N70million.
Claiming to have been in the kidnapping business for 10 years, Evans also confessed to have two other houses in Ghana with four bedroom duplex each.
He claimed to have a wristwatch he bought for $170,000 and nine phones, three of which cost $6,000 each.
The kidnap kingpin said he sent his wife away when he realised the police were closing in on them.
He said he relocated to Ghana and was planning to travel abroad before he was caught.
The suspect is currently being interrogated by the police.
“He was arrested in a joint operation led by IRT under the supervision of the Lagos CP. He was the brains behind kidnappings in the South-West and other regions. Very soon the pupils will be freed. Six of his gang members were also arrested after an intense gun battle,” Jimoh stated.
Meanwhile, barring a last-minute change in plan, the six abducted pupils of Lagos State Model College, Igbonla, Epe, will regain their freedom today.
