UPDATE: As at 14th of June, 2017.. 500 people raised over $20,000 for the family of the Brave policeman who gunned down one of the robbers involved in the Zenith Bank Robbery that went viral earlier this month.

In an overwhelming show of love and devotion to a cause, Nigerians from different parts of the world raised over $15,000 for the family of Sergeant Chukwudi Iboko, the policeman that was killed during a robbery in a branch of Zenith Bank in Imo State.

As of 11.08pm on Monday, $16,476 had been raised on a fundraising platform, GoFundMe, by 390 people.

The feat was achieved within 24 hours of the start of the campaign by PUNCHNewspapers and other social activists in the country, led by Kayode Ogundamisi.

The late sergeant in whose honour the project was initiated, Chukwudi, died on February 23, 2017 after confronting some robbers who invaded a Zenith Bank branch on Wetheral Road, Owerri.

The late father of eight children, in a 2.58 video clip released in June 2017, could be seen engaging a four-man robbery gang in a gun battle, during which he shot dead one of the robbers.

The video, which went viral on the social media, also captured Chukwudi being shot at by one of the robbers after he ran out of a security post at the entrance of the bank.

Investigation by The PUNCH revealed that the victim died a day after the incident.

His widow, Rose, in an exclusive interview, lamented that one of their eight children, Chukwuebuka, died from shock on the day of the father’s burial, adding that the police authorities abandoned her and her surviving children.

She also said Zenith Bank only paid for the burial of her husband.

Readers had challenged PUNCH Newspapers to create a platform to raise funds for the deceased’s family, with many Nigerians pledging to support the cause.

With the support of some activists, PUNCH Newspapers took up the gauntlet and created a GoFundMe account for the family on Sunday, setting a target of $15,000.

In less than 24 hours, the target was exceeded.

PUNCH Metro observed that the highest donation was $1,000 and the least was $5.

While some of the donors commended the courage of the deceased policeman, others asked the Nigerian government to also support the family.

One Elochukwu Obimdike, who gave $5, said, “You won’t know (what) this feels until it happens to someone that you know.”

Another donor, Tope Fasua, who gave $120, asked that part of the funds should be used to support the other policemen involved in the tragedy.

“Please, let us use this money for the other affected policemen and to put Zenith Bank and Nigerian Police under pressure. Thanks The PUNCH for this initiative. You clocked the amount in one day, plus extra,” he wrote.

Another contributor, Tinu Ojikutu, who gave $20, said, “Your husband and your dad was such a brave man. He was a hero. I pray the Lord continues to comfort you all. God bless you.”

Nigerians, who are willing to make contributions, but could not explore GoFundMe platform, requested that a bank account should be opened in the name of the family for naira donation.

A Twitter user, Morakinyo, @tipsy8701, said she had difficulty donating to the cause through GoFundMe.

“Please, can PUNCH provide a bank account to pay the fund? My payment is not going through on the platform. Thank you,” she tweeted.

Another Nigerian, Stan, with a Twitter handle, @Stannwasky, was also interested in donating, but for the technicality of the online platform.

“Don’t know how to donate through this stuff,” she wrote.

On the GoFundMe page, one Fredrick Obinna-Raymond Chukwuemeka, requested the opening of a bank account domiciled in Nigeria.

He posted, “Please, is there any Nigerian bank account (in which) one can make his own donation?”

Visitors to PUNCH Online, who read the story on the GoFundMe fundraising for the Ibokos, also wanted to donate in naira.

A poster, with the alias Soulchild, wrote, “PUNCH, how can one donate to this cause? And must I only donate in USD? You are limiting the amount that can be raised by disenfranchising those of us that do not have domiciliary accounts.”

Another reader, identified as Twins, inquired, “Is there an account number one can pay directly into?”

One Moses also indicated interest, saying, “PUNCH kudos. To get more support which many of us want to give, kindly publish a bank account number we can credit in naira.”

Amebo wrote,

“PUNCH, please publish the account number to enable my folks back home to make some payment to the account. I have already instructed them to donate some money into the account.”

A Nigerian, who claimed to be resident outside the country, Dike Offor, said he had been following the story religiously and would like to assist the Ibokos.

“Please PUNCH, I don’t reside in Nigeria, but I am up to date with the news in my great country…please, I need the account number of the fundraising for the family,” he said.

Following this, PUNCH Newspapers has decided to open a bank account for the purpose of raising funds in naira for the family.

Meanwhile, The PUNCH and its partners would soon announce three non-governmental organisations that would manage the funds raised for the family to ensure accountability.

Source: Punch

The notorious kidnapper arrested at the weekend, along with six members of his gang in Lagos, by police operatives from the intelligence teams has named some of his victims.

Chukwudidumeme Onuamadike, alias Evans, told detectives that though he could not remember the number of people he kidnapped or the amount of money he collected as ransom, he was, however, able to mention a few.

In Edo and Lagos states, he remembered kidnapping Mr. Mbarikatta William Uboma at Festac Town on June 16, 2012, where the sum of N20 million was collected as ransom before he was released.

A police classified document containing Evan’s confessional statement revealed that Mr. Paul Cole from Ohafia in Abia State was also kidnapped by the gang on August 23, 2012, at Festac Town where N20m was also paid.

Mr. Mohammed Jamal, a Lebanese, who was kidnapped on August 19, 2012, at Ajah, paid N17m at Ojo area of Lagos to regain his freedom.

Evan’s gang also kidnapped Mr. Kingsley Nwokenta on September 19, 2012, after he left Lebanon Bar in Festac Town and he had to pay N15m in addition to his black Toyota Venza car that he forfeited to the gang before he regained his freedom; just as the gang also claimed responsibility for the kidnap of Mr. Anthony Ozoanidobi on October 10, 2012, along Marwa Road in Satellite Town where N15m was paid before he was taken to Apple junction, Amuwo-Odofin in Lagos and released.

Evans further stated that his gang also kidnapped Mr. Leo Abraham in Lagos on August 20, 2012, and dumped him at Badagry Road in Lagos after he paid N15m.

However, Ojukwu Cosmas, who sells Toyota parts at Aspanda Trade Fair, who was kidnapped on January 21, 2016, at Festac Town was not too lucky as he had to pay $1m to secure his release.

James Uduji who was kidnapped by the gang at Seventh Avenue, Festac Town late last year paid $1.2m after being held for six weeks before he was released, while Chief Raymond Okoye Odu-Na–Ichida who was kidnapped in 2015 also paid $1m to regain his freedom after two months in captivity.

Uche Okoroafor, a trader at Alaba International Market, Lagos, was kidnapped by the gang in 2015 and held captive for three months before he was released after paying $1m, just as Elias Ukachukwu, who was kidnapped by the gang in November, 2015 also paid $1m for his release.

Francis Umeh, a spare parts dealer at Aspanda, was kidnapped in July 2016, at Raji Rasaki Estate and released after paying $1m to secure his release.

The gang, however, recorded a fatal loss when in 2013, in its attempt to kidnap Chief Vincent Obianudo, the owner of Young Shall Grow Motors, met with stiff resistance from the policemen attached to the chief. The police opened fire and killed two members of the gang.

Though the gang also killed a policeman and some of its members escaped, Chief Obianudo, who sustained bullet wounds during the attack, survived after several surgeries.

The last known victim of the gang in Lagos before it was smashed is Mr. Donatus Dunu, a pharmacist and importer of drugs, who was kidnapped on February 14, 2017, in Elupeju area of Lagos. The sum of N150m was paid by the victim’s family to secure his release, but Evans collected the money and refused to release the victim, insisting that an additional N300m must be paid.

The gang regretted that Dunu escaped from Evans’ detention camp in Igando on May 12, 2017, without paying the additional ransom.

In Edo State, the gang kidnapped Mr. Ohunyon Ernest in November 2011 and he had to pay N85m, just as Mr. Dan Odiete who was also kidnapped by the gang in Benin City in 2013, paid N100m to regain his freedom.

The owner of Uyi Technical who was kidnapped by Evan’s gang in Benin City in 2013 paid N100m before he was released, while Tom, kidnapped in Benin in 2012, paid N100m to the gang.

The owner of Kings Paint was also kidnapped in Benin City in 2010 by the same gang and had to pay N40m to regain his freedom even as Mr. Randeki, who was kidnapped by the gang in 2010 paid N30m for his release.

Evans, who was nabbed by a combined team of police officers and men from the Intelligence Response Team (IRT) and the Technical Intelligence Unit (TIU) at his private residence in Magodo, Lagos, on June 10, was described by the police as a very intelligent suspect.

Other members of the gang that were also arrested at different locations include Felix Chinemerem, 36, from Arochukwu in Ohafia Local Government Area of Abia State, and Nwosu Chikodi Chukwuma, aka Sudo, 42, and is said to have over 20 years experience in armed robbery and about eight years experience in kidnapping.

Other arrested members of the gang are Uchechukwu Amadi from Anambra State who the police described as the head of Evans’ detention camp, a female, Ogechi Amadi, said to be the woman that rented the house and cooks for the kidnappers and their victims in the camp.

The rest are Suoyo Paul, aka Nwana, 42, a native of Bayelsa State, and is said to be the one supplying the gang with rifles and ammunition, while Ikenna Emeka, 28, from Anambra State, said he participated in four kidnappings in Festac Town with Evans before Evans sacked him from the gang for stealing an expensive wrist watch and a ring from a victim without informing him.

Source: Dailytrust

A lawyer, Kissinger Ikeokwu who is based in Imo State has claimed to have gotten the true account of the robbery that happened at Zenith Bank, Owerri, which left a gallant policemant, Sergeant Iboko dead.

The brave policeman who killed one of the four armed robbers in the attack, ran out from where he took cover and suffered severe gunshot injuries and died the next day in a police clinic in Owerri after he was allegedly rejected at the Federal Medical Centre, Owerri.

Read what was shared by the lawyer on Facebook concerning the incident.

Those who blame the officer for running out got it wrong. I got the true account from an anonymous witness and feel I should share it since he cannot by reason of his office.

When the robbers approached the Bank, three Policemen were in the small Security House. They diaplayed gallantry by shooting and blasting the car windows, but the robbers still emerged frim he car unhurt in what many have described as “Odoeshi”. The robber in blue the officer shot dead moved tactically to the small window at the back side the Policeman ran towards. He sprayed them with bullets killing one instantly and severely injuring the officer who today lost his one eye. The gallant Iboko was the man the robbers bullet didnt touch and he took cover lying low and kept his calm.

Confident that he had finished the officers who took cover at the small security post, the robber on blue decided to enter and finish the last breath off all the officers. It was then that Iboko who had taken cover having seen his men in the pool of their blood decided to either act or die with them. Sensing the invinsibility of the robbers, Iboko was reported to have deeped his gun nussle into the blood of his colleagues and that proved vital in neautralizing the suppossed odoeshi.

Immediately the robber on blue who had sprayed them with bullets from the back window approached the door, Iboko took him out. Having shot and proved he was alive, Iboko knew he must flee or wait for the robbers who didnt fear bullets now come for him. He made the deft move with just 20% chance of escaping. He ran towards the backside of the Bank building through the left flank.but he couldnt run too far as he fell to bullet wounds.

Upon his falling the other robber he had a face toface close range shootout with now came towards him and rained bullets on him, but Iboko’s four colleagues at the back gave him backup…… that backup was bullets from the far end of the backyard that made the killer of Iboko retreat and run to their car in a hurry.

Iboko died later of his wounds. 7 Policemen were on duty on that very day at the Bank wetheral Branch. 3 lost their life including iboko. One survived with injuries. 3 escaped unhurt and told the story you read hereby.

The survivors were at the back yard and they reinforced Iboko giving him cover when he fell. Their bullets made the rubbers retreat in a hurry and not pick the guns of the slain officers. Their back reinforenent made the robbers abandon their colleague through whom Police got the clues that ultimately led to the arrest and waterloo of the robbers.

Iboko took cover lying low with a dead colleague and one whose eyes was shattered by the same man he killled. He killed same man when he came tru the door but lost I trying to run after exposing his cover. Watch the video again. Spot the robber on blue go behind which the CCTV camera didn’t cover. He shot the 3 officers from the back window on close range target. Iboko was lucky not to be hit and took effective cover lying low. He moved when he had to move when the man now came tru the door to finish the job and Iboko took him out.

Such Gallantry. RIP to the fallen…….. My condolences to the families.

The Imo State Police Command on Tuesday promised prompt payment of the entitlements of the two policemen who lost their lives during the robbery attack on a Zenith Bank branch on Wetheral Road, Owerri, Imo State.

The state Commissioner of Police, Chris Ezike, while commending The PUNCH Newspapers for doing a “thorough job”, said the police would not abandon the victims’ families.

This is just as Zenith Bank said it would foot the bills for the treatment of Sergeant Otu Attang, who lost one of his eyes during the attack.

The company said it would also sponsor the education of the children of the late two cops, Sergeant Chukwudi Iboko and Sergeant Sunday Agbo.

PUNCH Metro had reported that a gang of four attacked the Zenith Bank branch on February 22, 2017, carting away some undisclosed amount of money from a customer whom they trailed to the premises.

However, the incident gained public attention early June when footage of the bank’s Closed Circuit Television Camera, which captured the moments of the robbery, was released to the public.

The 2.58 minutes video, which immediately went viral, showed a courageous Chuwkwudi engaging the robbers in a gun duel from a security post at the bank’s entrance.

One of the robbers, later identified as Ikechukwu Opara, was shot dead while sneaking to the security post.

Soon after, Chukwudi could be seen running out of the security post as one of the robbers shot continuously in his direction.

He was said to have died the following day, following gunshot injuries he sustained during the attack.

Another policeman with him on the premises, Agbo, was also said to have died shortly afterwards, while the third policeman, Attang, lost one of his eyes.

In an exclusive interview with The PUNCH Newspapers, Chukwudi’s widow, Rose, lamented that one of their eight children, Chukwuebuka, died from shock during the burial of the father.

The PUNCH Newspapers and some social activists, led by Kayode Ogundamisi, in response to the call of readers and Nigerians from different parts of the world, inaugurated a GofundMe account to raise $15,000 for the family, a feat that was achieved within 24 hours.

However, the Imo State CP, Ezike, during a press briefing at the command’s headquaters in Owerri, described the slain cops as heroes who would never be forgotten.

He recalled that shortly after the robbery, the command got a marching order to arrest the robbers that killed the cops who were from the 18 Police Mobile Force Squadron, Owerri.

Ezike said investigations led to the arrest of the robbery suspects, which included 36-year-old Justice Ogbonna, aka JJ; Abiye Charles; and Okechukwu Nwanegbo, aka Modestus.

The commissioner said the police recovered two AK-47 rifles and one AK-49 rifle with 175 rounds of ammunition from the suspects.

Also recovered were four cars – one Toyota Avalon, two Toyota Camry, and one Toyota Corrolla.

“Let me state for the avoidance of doubt that the trio of Sergeant Chukwudi Iboko, Sergeant Sunday Agbo and Sergeant Otu Attang, remain our heroes. They were gallant, professional, and courageous; they displayed encouraging passion in defence of lives and property. The Nigeria Police Force, under the able leadership of the Inspector-General of Police, Ibrahim Idris, has not, did not and will not abandon them and/or their families.

“As you are well aware, the Nigeria Police Force is a Federal Government agency governed by laws, rules and regulations in all matters, including financial matters. Be rest assured, therefore, that the financial rights, entitlements, benefits and even privileges of these our own shall be fully paid, and on time too.

“The two deceased officers were recommended for posthumous promotion, while the injured officer was also recommended for a special promotion to his next rank. I am very confident that very soon, the Inspector-General of Police will graciously announce the promotions. Similarly, the command is in constant touch with the families of the deceased officers. We have made and will continue to make financial assistance to cushion the effect of the loss of their loved breadwinners.”

He said the management of the bank gave financial assistance for the burial expenses of the victims and released start-up business funds for the deceased families.

Ezike noted that the bank also agreed to be giving monthly allowances to the families, including a promise of scholarship to any level of education for the children of the deceased officers.

He thanked Nigerians for their support since the security video went viral, saying the job of protecting lives and property could be hazardous.

The police boss said the state Governor, Rochas Okorocha, had promised to meet the families of the policemen.

PUNCH Metro learnt that one Mr. John Ekweanuo of Sparvi Charity Foundation Worldwide presented the sum of N500,000 to Chukwudi’s family at the briefing.

A blogger, IfeanyiCy Njoku, who made the presentation, said the foundation was touched by the bravery of the policeman.

“The money was presented to the widow in the presence of heads of police formations in Imo State and the state Commissioner of Police,” he added.

– Punch

Kidnap kingpin, Chukwudubem Onwuamadike, a.k.a Evans, who was arrested last Saturday by police for coordinating several high-profile kidnappings, armed robbery and murder within Lagos, Edo, Abia, Enugu and Anambra States, has revealed that his father’s decision to disown him was why he took to crime.

Evans, who received millions of dollars as ransom from his victims during his reign as an ingenious kidnapper in the country, told Vanguard exclusively that he was forced to drop out of school while in Junior Secondary School Class 2, when his father, Steven Onwuamadike, drove his mother, Chinwe, away and got married to another woman.

Evans explained that his father, who is a businessman, asked him to join another business man, a spare parts dealer, also in Nnewi, who he served for five years without settlement because the man later accused him of stealing.

This development, according to him, embarrassed his father so much that he drove him out of his house.

Evans who is a native of Akamili, Umudim Quarters, Nnewi, Anambra State, stated that his father’s action affected him deeply and he was forced to move into his mother’s house. He said his mother accepted him and she also raised money for him which he used in travelling to Lagos.

While in Lagos, Evans disclosed that he started selling diesel to luxury buses and truck drivers at Alafia Bus-stop along Lagos-Badagry Expressway. He explained that, while he was selling diesel, he slept in a bus garage and that was where he joined a robbery gang.

First robbery gang, Vanguard gathered, that Evans’ first robbery gang specialized in attacking luxury buses plying the East – West Road, at night.

Police sources explained that Evans was involved in several highway robberies from which he raised enough money with which he travelled to South Africa.

A former anti-robbery police operative attached to Orile Police Station, who pleaded anonymity, disclosed that Evans and his gang specialized in robbing traders in luxury buses travelling at night on the road.

The ex-policeman added that Evans who had several informants around motor parks in Alafia, Maza-Maza and Jibowu areas of Lagos State, used to obtain first hand information on the movements of traders coming to Lagos State with huge amounts of money from informants working at major luxury buses parks across the country.

The source disclosed that Evans and his gang would attack these buses on the highway and dispossess the passengers of their cash and other valuables, explaining that some of his gang members were arrested and when the police were closing in on him, he fled the country to return a few years later and relocated to the East.

It was gathered that while in the East, he formed another dangerous gang that started robbing and kidnapping wealthy business men especially in the commercial city of Onitsha in Anambra State and Aba in Abia State.

When his notoriety soared in criminal circles, other robbery gangs started seeking him. That was how he became the financier of arms and armourer for the fearless and deadly armed robbery kingpin in the east from Nkanu in Enugu State, popularly called Ngwu Ekekere Omu, who robbed banks all over the country until he was killed in Anambra by a military patrol team that blocked a road on a tip-off from members of the Special anti-Robbery Squad, SARS, in Awka.

Afterwards, he carried out a bloody robbery operation at the university town of Nsukka, Enugu State, where he killed among others, a Divisional Police Officer and later shot the SARS Commander in Enugu in the knee while they were pursuing him along Adani/Otuocha road.

During that operation, he also burnt down Nsukka Police Station after raiding one of the banks and as he was escaping from the scene with his gang, they threw bundles of crisp Naira notes in different denominations to the cheering crowd and commercial motorcyclists, including school children who were on their way home.

Ngwu Ekere Omu died in 2009 and most of his gang members were hunted down and eliminated by members of the Special anti-Robbery Squad in Enugu and Anambra states.

Police sources said Evans participated actively in that deadly operation and later, after some of their gang members including their leader were killed, he again escaped abroad.

On his return, according to sources, he veered into full time kidnapping with Lagos as his base. He used to pose as a spare parts dealer from South Africa with proceeds of his crime.

Reports also alleged that he participated in some operations with another notorious killer, Vampire, who was later killed by the Police after plotting his escape from Owerri court in Imo State, while on trial.

Investigations revealed that Evans later linked up with another notorious kidnapper called Henry Hunchman in Anambra State and they coordinated several kidnappings. They were later chased out of Anambra State and they fled to Edo State.

Vanguard reports Evans told them during a chat that he teamed up with one of his friends, Ehis, in Edo state and they started kidnapping. He disclosed that Ehis introduced him to some of his friends known as Benin Papa, Odionose, Okey and Igbo Papa and they coordinated several kidnappings.

He further explained that he was forced to invite his friend, Hunchman, who he said had heavy arms and ammunition to join them in Edo State. According to him,

‘’When Hunchman came in, we carried out two big kidnappings that yielded N150 million, but Hunchman who owned the arms and ammunition, ran away with the money.’’

Escapades during MD Abubakar’s era as IGP Vanguard investigation also revealed further that Evans’ activities became so troubling that the then Inspector -General of Police, Mohammed Abubakar, deployed one of his key operatives, Patrick Ejedawe, who was the Commander of Mopol 2 Squadron Command, Lagos, to Edo State, to track him and his members down.

It was learned that Ejedawe, now an Assistant Commissioner of Police, mopped up all members of the gang except Evans, Hunch-man and Sudo, who fled to Ghana. Sources disclosed that betrayals in the gang aided the police in mopping up the gang members, leading to the death of members like Benin Papa, Odionosa, Okey, Igbo Papa and many others who were killed by the Police in gun battles.

Vanguard’s source further disclosed that Evans, Hunch-man and Sudo eventually came back to Nigeria and were based in Lagos, when Ejedawe was redeployed from Edo State by a new Inspector-General of Police.

At that point, Evans and his gang terrorised residents of Festac Town, Amuwo Odofin, Ojo and Ajao Estate areas of Lagos State before he was arrested.

Source – Vanguard.

The Lagos state police command has nabbed a 45-year-old suspected ritualist with a human skull and he revealed that he sells them for N1million each.

The suspect, Identified as Lucien Tusume, was arrested at Iraye village in Sagamu area of Ogun State, following intelligence report.

Explaining the circumstance that led to Tusume’s arrest, Lagos State Police Public Relations Officer, Olarinde Famous-Cole, said some policemen, who disguised as buyers, contacted the suspect for a human skull.

The suspect readily agreed to sell a dried skull for N150,000 to the undercover operatives, but the officers bargained for N81,000 which he accepted.

The suspect later took the dried human skull to the ‘buyers’, and he was subsequently arrested after payment was made to him.

During interrogation, the suspect disclosed that the dried skulls were sold between N80,000 and N120,000, adding that fresh human skulls were more expensive. He said:

“I SELL FRESH SKULL FOR N1 MILLION.”

The suspect, according to Famous-Cole, had been transferred to the State Criminal Investigation and Intelligence Department, Yaba, where investigation will be made on how and where he got the human skulls.

Source: Vanguard

Notorious Kidnapper Evans, Chukwudubem George Onwamadike, was shortly arrested after he returned to his magodo home on Saturday, some guards in his neighborhood revealed to journalists.

Unknown to him, the neighbourhood had been surrounded by the police before his arrival.

But, before his arrest, he had started moving his personal effects from his 3, Fred Shogboyede Street, Magodo, mansion.

A guard, Ali, who said he saw how Evans was arrested, said he was initially surprised to see so many policemen in the estate.

Ali said armed policemen in over four vehicles blocked all the roads leading to the estate.

“Some stayed at the gate close to his house, others stayed at the end of the street and there was another group towards the street behind his house. The man came in that day in a cab and the cab was waiting for him outside.

“But as soon as he entered, policemen surrounded the place. He opened his upper window and called Pius. He asked Pius who those people were and Pius told him they were policemen and they were looking for him.

“Then, he locked the window and stayed there. As of then, we didn’t know what was happening. We thought that maybe they were just looking for him until we saw the policemen drag him out in handcuffs. They also took Pius with them.”

It was gathered that he had not been to the house for sometime before the police busted his gang.

According to some guards, the mansion and another at 96, Emmanuel Keshi Street, also in Magodo, were built less than a year ago.

The houses were locked when The Nation called yesterday.

But, a woman was seen locking the Emmanuel Keshi mansion gate when she left the house.

The guards, who claimed they were friends of Evans’ gateman, Pius, said the suspect neither received visitors nor mixed with neighbours.

They said he usually paid his utility and other estate dues “promptly”, adding that his gateman and chef earned N20,000 each monthly.

According to them, Evans and his family never went to church. They said the only person allowed to go to church was Pius.

One of the guards, who gave his name as John, said:

“I have been working in this estate for more than one year. This house is new. It was built last year. The man bought it and remodelled it. He changed a lot of things in the house.

“He doesn’t talk to people. He doesn’t attend estate meetings but he pays his dues. I haven’t seen visitors enter there. He was living in the house with his family and he had a woman cook. His security man is Pius, our brother from Kaduna. He told us the man has four wives and that none of them knew the other.

“Pius was arrested by the police that day (Saturday). The man doesn’t go to church and I never saw his family go to church. Pius told us he was the only one who usually went to church in the house. He said his salary was N20,000 per month.

“We noticed the man started moving out about a month ago. Pius also said it during our discussion that his employer was moving out. The man stopped coming to the estate in his car. Sometimes he came on a power bike, other times, a cab.”

A minister with the Mountain of Fire and Miracles Ministries, Wale Solomon, is battling for his life in an undisclosed hospital on the Lagos Island after he was allegedly attacked by some cult members suspected to be Badoo.

Punch Metro gathered that the father of three was sleeping with his family in their house on Obayemi Street, First Gate, Ikorodu, when the hoodlums stormed the house around 2am on Saturday. The men were said to have smashed the mortar on the victim’s head and injured him in different parts of his body.

His wife was reportedly aroused from sleep by the cry of pain of the husband as she ran out of the house to call for help. Some neighbours reportedly ran to the house and found the victim in a pool of blood, with the mortar by his side. They were said to have alerted policemen from the Sagamu Road Division.

Anthony was rushed to the Ikorodu General Hospital, from where he was taken to the Lagos State University Teaching Hospital, Ikeja, and was further referred to the undisclosed hospital.

A resident, Bola Odunsi, said the incident threw the community into commotion.

She said, “They invaded First Gate on Saturday and entered the man’s house while he was asleep with his wife and kids. They came with a big mortar, which they used to smash the man’s head.

“The noise woke up the wife and on sensing danger, she rushed out and called for help. People came out and saw the man bleeding from different parts of his body. They rushed him to a private hospital in the area from where he was referred to General Hospital, Ikorodu.”

Punch Metro learnt that policemen from the Sagamu Road Division, who were alerted by residents, arrived in the area later, but could not find any of the culprits.

A woman, who lived close to the victim’s house, told Punch correspondent that Solomon was responding to treatment at the hospital where he was taken to.

He said, “He was transferred from the General Hospital, Ikorodu, to LASUTH and from there, he was taken to a specialist hospital on the Lagos Island. I was told he still bleeds from the nose and ears. But the family is hopeful that God will take control.”

Another resident said the pastor’s house was prone to attack because it was uncompleted and without a fence.

“The house is an uncompleted building; he lives there alone with his wife and children. The man has been trying to finish the building, but he appeared not to have the funds.

“I think the family was lucky that the woman ran out to call for help on time, because Badoo members always wipe out the household they attack. They left behind the mortar that they used to break the man’s head,” she added.

Punch Metro gathered that a suspected member of the gang was caught on Sunday by some residents.

The suspect was reportedly beaten to a pulp and was about to be lynched when a traditional ruler in the community intervened and begged that he be handed over to the police.

However, some members of a vigilance group, known as Onyabo, reportedly took the suspect away to an unknown place.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, Olarinde Famous-Cole, confirmed the attack, saying the command was investigating the case.

The Father of Billionaire Kidnapper, Chukwudi “Evans” Dumeme Onwuamadike, says he lives in abject poverty and he had no idea whatsoever that his son has become so wealthy through illegal means.

He said the last time he saw his son was in 2008 at which time he advised him to desist from illegal means of acquiring wealth.

Identified as Mr. Stephen Onwuamadike, Evans father revealed to newsmen that it was Evans’ mother who misled him and that he has been manipulating evans since he was three years old.

He also said he used to be very wealthy but Evans’ mother led to his downfall and she left him with nothing. His current wife and her son also accused Evans’ mother of being the person behind Evans’ predicament. They painted Evans as a good and loving son who was only under the influence of his mother.

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Pleading with the Federal Government to forgive Evans, Mr Stephen Onwuamadike told New Telegraph that he has not been able to sleep since he received the phone call informing him that his son has been apprehended.

He said: “My son is a good boy, but his mother misled him.”

Stephen said Evans’ real name is Chukwudumeje. He alleged that Evans is being spiritually manipulated by his ex-wife.

He said:

“I was devastated when I heard the news through a telephone call; since that call, I had not been able to sleep. I believe in a straight forward and honest life. If I noticed someone is not honest, I run away from the person. When my business was thriving, I did business with white people. I was one of the early millionaires that emerged from this town until things went wrong courtesy of my first wife in 1985. She caused me so many problems and eventually caused my financial ruins. In fact, she brought me down to where I am today. I’m suffering and I can barely put food on my table.”

Stephen who lives in his country home at Akammili, Umudim, Nnewi, Anambra State, said that he tried his best to raise Evans by sending him to the best schools around.

“My estranged wife kept interfering in his academics. You won’t believe that my son, Chukwudumeje (Evans) has not visited home since 2008. The last time I saw him was 10 years ago. I asked him the sort of business he was into. He said he was into drug trafficking. I advised him to desist because it was an illicit business and the law was against it. I told him plainly that it was better to be involved in a legitimate business and wait for God’s blessings. I did good business and it thrived; I was very successful. I have travelled to so many countries of the world in the course of my business,” Stephen said.

He added:

“His mother started manipulating him when he was only three years old; look at where it has got him. I don’t even have his phone number. I’m pleading with the Nigerian authorities to have mercy on him and give him a second chance. He was misdirected and misled by his mother. I heard about all the millions, and I said to myself, do I have such manner of rich son and the roof over my house is leaking. I now survive by selling pigs.”

Evans’ stepbrother, Chidolie Onwuamadike, said his brother’s ruin was caused by his mother. He noted that if Evans had followed their father’s advice, he wouldn’t have become a criminal.

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Chidolie said:

“As brothers, we don’t even interact at all. I don’t have his number and my heart is pained because he is such a loving, nice guy from the little I know of him.”

A tearful Mrs Etty Onwuamadike, Evans’ mother said:

“Chukwudumeje is a nice boy when he lived with me. The only gift I gave him years back was the Holy Bible. I don’t want my son to die. I’m still convinced he will serve God.”