Islamic cleric Ahmad Gumi has claimed that bandits and kidnappers operating across Nigeria adopted tactics popularised by notorious kidnap kingpin Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, widely known as Evans.
Gumi made the statement in a Facebook post while reacting to reports about the discovery of illegal arms manufacturing sites in Vom, located in Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
According to the cleric, Evans, who was arrested in 2017 over a series of high-profile kidnappings in Lagos, became a model for criminal groups operating in different parts of the country.
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“Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike (commonly called ‘Evans the kidnapper’) was the most infamous kidnapper in Nigeria’s history, especially in Lagos. He targeted wealthy individuals and demanded huge ransoms before his arrest in 2017. From him others copy,” Gumi stated.
His comments followed reports that troops of Operation Enduring Peace uncovered illegal arms factories allegedly linked to suspected Berom militia members accused of producing weapons used in attacks and killings in Plateau State.
Security operatives reportedly recovered fabricated AK-47 rifles, empty magazines, rifle components, and other weapons during the operation.
