The Nigeria Police Force has paraded an Abuja socialite, kidnap kingpin, John Ikechuwkwu Ewa, popularly known as John Lion, in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State capital.
Mr. Lion is well known in Yenagoa, Bayelsa State for his lavish lifestyle in Clubs and bars was arrested on Saturday in Abuja.
In the video which was seen online, the kidnapper confessed to belonging to a gang of kidnappers but stated that he has only kidnapped two people before he got arrested.
The suspect was heard begging for forgiveness. He alleged that his wife had just been put to bed and that his arresters should temper justice with mercy.
Mr. Lion pleaded for forgiveness as he claimed that his wife was just delivered a baby boy.
Crying, he said, “Forgive me, make una forgive me, my wife just born sef, a boy.”
But the Bayelsa State Police Command on Monday paraded Mr. Lion alongside three members of his gang at the Police Officers Mess, Yenagoa Bayelsa State.
Mr. Lion was apprehended by a crack team of detectives from the command who tracked him to Abuja.
Newsflash Nigeria had reported that Mr. Lion had been on the wanted list of the police for various alleged abductions in the state.
PRESS BRIEFING OF THE COMMISSIONER OF POLICE, BAYELSA STATE COMMAND, CP BEN NOBOLISA OKOLO fdc, HELD ON MONDAY 26TH SEPTEMBER 2022 AT THE STATE HEADQUARTERS, YENAGOA.
Gentlemen of the Press
I warmly welcome you to this press briefing and parade of suspects to showcase our modest achievements in fighting crime in Bayelsa State.
In recent times the Command was confronted with reported cases of kidnapping, armed robbery and cultism. I re-jig the security strategy with a special focus on tackling kidnapping and armed robbery. The strategy has paid off with the recent arrest of members of a notorious kidnapping gang by operatives of Operation Restore Peace. This gang has been responsible for over ten (10) high-profile kidnappings in the State over a period of seven (7) years.
KIDNAPPING
On 8th December 2020 one Akeeb Oladele Olushola ‘m’ 48 years, a Manager of a new generation Bank was kidnapped at his residence at Old Commissioners Quarters Opolo, he was released on the 12th December after paying a ransom of Eighty (N80) Million Naira.
Similarly, Danjuma Omeje 41 years, a Manager of a new generation Bank in Yenagoa was kidnap at his residence at Okaka, Yenagoa, on 30th July 2022, he was released on 14th July 2022 after paying a ransom of 60 million naira. Thirty (N30) Million Naira cash and US Dollar equivalent of Thirty (N30) Million Naira.
Operatives of Operation Restore Peace through painstaking investigation arrested the following suspects;
- Emmanuel Charles Angase ‘m’ 37 years, a native of Azuzuama Community, Southern Ijaw LGA, the leader of the kidnapping gang. He operates a kidnapping camp at Sunikiri creek near Oluasiri in Nembe Local Government Area with his second in command one Gbalipre Gamage now at large. Police operatives recovered a brand new Toyota Avalon he bought for his wife with the proceed of ransom he collected.
The gang leader Emmanuel Charles Angase has confessed that on 30th June 2022 at about 06:00 hours, himself, John Ewa and others at large accosted Danjuma Omeje at the entrance of his house at Okaka, kidnap him and fled in a Blue Toyota Corolla Car with REG NO KJA 225 AY.
They took the victim to his camp at Sunikiri Oluasiri, and release him on 14th July 2022 after collecting Sixty 60 million ransom. The suspect also confessed to the kidnap of Akeeb Oladele Olusola a banker and Nancy Keme Dickson, who was kidnapped on 26th December 2015. He also confessed to the kidnap of Chinonso Eze and other Igbo Business men.
- John Ikechukwu Ewa ‘m’ 30 years aka John Lion, a native of Eruan Community in Boki LGA, Cross River State, known for a flamboyant lifestyle on Social Media, a former cleaner with a new generation Bank, confessed to having collected Ten (10) Thousand US Dollars from the ransom collected in the kidnap of Danjuma Omeje.
- Innocent Kingsley ‘m’ 31 years, a native of Egbu Community Itche LGA, Rivers State. The owner of a Blue Toyota Corolla Car with REG NO KJA 225 AY and one Timi Werikumo ‘m’ 21 years, a native of Azuzuama Community Southern Ijaw LGA, Bayelsa State.
All the suspects will be charged to court at the conclusion of the investigation.
The Bayelsa State Police Command under my watch has firmly resolved to make the State uncomfortable for criminals. Our Officers are determined more than ever rid the State of criminals’ elements and to ensure our communities are safer for businesses and economic activities to thrive.
