Kidnap kingpin Evans collects millions of dollars as ransom fee, say police

Chukwudi Dumeme Onuamadike, the notorious kidnap kingpin known as Evans, collects millions of dollars as ransom fee from his victims, the police have said.

Evans was arrested on Saturday in Lagos alongside five members of his gang by the inspector-general of police intelligence response team.

The police on Sunday released more details about his operations in the country.

A statement issued by Jimoh Moshood, force public relations officer in Abuja, listed the five other suspects as Nwosu Chikodi Chukwuma (aka Sudo), 42 who is third in command; Suoyo Paul (a.k.a.Nnwana), 42; Felix Chinemerem, 36; Ikenna Emeka 28; Uchechukwu Amadi and Ogechi Amadi.

The statement also revealed that the kidnap kingpin has his gangs spread across every part of the country while he is based in Lagos.

The police said he not only collects his ransom fee in “millions of dollars” but also keeps his victims “for upward of six to seven months until the last penny is paid”.

“Evans was first declared wanted in August, 2013 when he masterminded the attempted kidnap of Vincent Obianudo, owner of Young Shall Grow Motors in Festac, Lagos, where a Policeman attached to the victim foiled the attack and killed three of Evans gang members but also lost his life in the process,” the statement read.

“Some of Evans gang members were subsequently arrested, but he regrouped after with several gangs and became more vicious and unleashes terror in the mentioned states of the federation.

“He is the vicious leader of a highly organized kidnap for ransom syndicate and criminal gang terrorizing and responsible for several kidnap of notable/prominent Nigerians in Lagos state, including the western, eastern, south-south and some northern States.

“Evans and his gangs keep their victim 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 know his house.”

The police listed his victims to include Mbarikatta William Uboma, Paul Cole, Mohammed Jamal, a Lebanese; Kingsley Nwokenta, Anthony Ozoanidobi and Leo Abraham.

Others are Ojukwu Cosmas, James Uduji, Raymond Okoye, Uche Okoroafor, Elias Ukachukwu, Francis Umeh and Danatus Dunu.