Chiemelie Ezeobi
Contrary to a report by one of the national dailies (not THISDAY) that notorious kidnap kingpin, Chukwudumeje George Onwuamadike alias Evans, has vanished from custody, the police saturday maintained otherwise.
Hours after the daily released a report captioned ‘Evans Vanishes’ on the front page of its Saturday edition, the police Force Spokesperson, CSP Jimoh Moshood, flayed the report.
According to him, the story was laced with “blatant falsehood because Evans is intact in police custody.
He said, “He did not vanish anywhere. Investigation is still ongoing and the suspect would be charged to court as soon as all ends were tied.
“The media need to avoid stories that could create fear, tension or misrepresentation among the masses. Where did Evans vanish to?
” That headline was misleading. The suspect and his accomplices are very much in our custody. We are working hard to ensure that justice is served at the end of the day.
“There are certain information that are not for public consumption to avoid jeopardising investigation or even national security.
“Evans is with the police. His whereabouts is known but cannot be made public. We are appealing to Nigerians to remain calm and support the police to conclude its investigation.â€
Afterwards, the Officer in charge of Intelligence Response Team (IRT), Abba Kyari, an Assistant Commissioner of Police (ACP), who corroborated the police spokesman said it was one of those lies meant to incite panic among the populace.
He said, “Members of the public should please disregard the fake news from a major newspaper that the most notorious kidnapper in the history of Nigeria, Evans in our custody has vanished.
“It is a big lie. In accordance with the 90 days remand order from Federal high court, investigation covering three countries is in progress. It is a false headline. We can not joke with the security of Nigeria.”
