How We Got Flamboyant Kidnap Kingpin, Others  – Bayelsa Police Boss

The Bayelsa state Police Commissioner, CP Ben Nobolisa, has given graphic details of how alleged kidnap kingpin, John Ewa also known as John Lion was arrested in a sting operation in Abuja, the nation’s capital.

Nobolisa, spoke while parading the suspect alongside others before newsmen at the state police command on Monday.

He said that this gang has been responsible for over ten (10) high profile kidnaping in the State over a period of seven (7) years.

Ewa, a former worker with a new generation bank, who was arrested by policemen for alleged kidnapping, said that he was given N5 million out of the N160 million collected from the kidnap of two bankers.

Ewa, told newsmen that he was involved in the kidnap of only two bankers: Akeem Olushola on December 8, 2020, and Danjuma Emeje on June 30, 2022.

He said he only showed the gang members the Yenagoa homes of the two victims, adding that he knew Omeje while working in his bank as a cleaner before he resigned in 2003.

He said: “We were just driving and I showed them. This is my former boss’ house. That was it.”

Ewa said while he received N1.5 million for the kidnap of Olushola, he was given N3.5 million for that of Omeje.

It was revealed by the gang members that while Olushola parted with N100 million, Omeje paid N60 million.

However, the person who brought the N100 million collected from Olushola was said to have removed N20 million from the ransom.

Among the incident in which the suspect was figured, according to the police boss, is the abduction of one Akeeb Oladele Olushola, 48 years, a Manager of a new generation Bank on 8th December, 2020.

He said that the victim was kidnapped at his residence at Old Commissioners Quarters Opolo, was released on the 12th December after paying a ransom of Eighty (N80) Million Naira.

Similarly, Danjuma Omeje, 41 years Manager of a new generation Bank in Yenagoa was kidnapped at his residence at Okaka, Yenagoa, on  30th July 2022.

He was released on 14th July 2022 after paying a ransom of N60 million naira, Thirty (N30) Million Naira cash and US Dollar equivalent of Thirty (N30) Million Naira.

According to him, following a painstaking investigation, operatives of ‘Operation Restore Peace’ were able to arrest one Emmanuel Charles Angase, 37 years, a native of Azuzuama Community, Southern Ijaw LGA, who is said to be the leader of the kidnapping gang.

Angase, reportedly 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.

The police boss said that Police operatives recovered a brand new Toyota Avalon which the suspect claimed he bought for his wife but from the proceeds of ransom he collected.

According to him, “The gang leader Emmanuel Charles Angase has confessed that on 30th June 2022 at about 0600 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 kidnapping of Akeeb Oladele Olusola a banker and Nancy Keme Dickson, who was kidnapped on 26th December 2015.

He also confessed to the kidnapping of Chinonso Eze and other Igbo Business men.

Speaking on how the kidnap kingpin was nabbed, the police boss said John Ikechukwu Ewa, 30 years aka John Lion, a native of Eruan Community in Boki LGA, Cross River State, known for flamboyant lifestyle on Social Media.

He said that the suspect, who was a former cleaner with a new generation Bank, confessed to have collected Ten (10) Thousand US Dollars from the ransom collected in the kidnap of Danjuma Omeje.

Other suspects paraded were, Innocent Kingsley, 31 years, a native of Egbu Community Itche LGA, Rivers State and  one Timi Werikumo, 21 years, a native of Azuzuama Community Southern Ijaw LGA, Bayelsa State and the owner of a Blue Toyota Corolla Car with REG NO KJA 225 AY

Meanwhile, the police command also paraded six suspects arrested over cultism-related activities in the state.

He said that on 3rd June 2022 at about 2000hrs, Operatives of Operation Restore Peace responded to a distress call that there was a cult clash between Greenlanders and Bobos Cult groups at Obele Street, Yenagoa.

“On arrival at the scene, the Police team met some suspects attacking one Kenus Ibomo on sighting the Police team, the suspects ran away, they were pursued to their hideout at Arietelin and the following suspects were arrested one Richard Derigha ‘m’ 36 years, Charles Francis ‘m’ 25 years, Collins Ugochukwu ‘m’ 28 years, Timipa Perewari ‘m’ 22 years and Clement Demepo ‘m’ 23 years.

“They all confessed to the killing of the victim and membership of Bobos Cult Group. A locally made pistol, Black Beret and other cult insignia were recovered from the suspects.

Equally, “On 17th April 2022 at about 1945 hours, one Gift Lucky Sotonye 24th years and one other now at large, robbed one Ogechi Rosemary ‘f’ and Gift Ogunleye ‘f’ at Azikoro Village. Discreet investigation led to the arrest of the suspect.

Three itel phones, a locally made double Barrel gun and locally made single Barrel gun and two (2) Live Cartridges were recovered from the suspects.

“On 19th July at about 0800hrs Policemen arrested one Godgift Emmanuel ‘m’ 22 years at Otuasega Community Ogbia LGA for unlawful possession of a locally made pistol. The suspect confessed to membership of Bobos  cult group.

He, however said that three suspected pipeline vandals were also arrested on 18th September 2022 at above 1545 hours by operatives of Nigeria Security and Civil Defence  Corps attach to Labrador Security outfit.

“The arrested three (3) suspects  namely; Jonah Geoffrey, 37 years, a native of Okoroma, Clement Suoyo, 30 years, a native of Fantuo and Destiny Clement, a native of Fantuo all in Nembe Local Government Area.

“The suspects were handed over to the police for further investigation.

“Items recovered from the suspects include three (3) new Walkie-Talkie for easy communication, two (2) rolls of Big Hose, and one (1) well head. the investigation is ongoing.

“All the suspects will be charge to court at the conclusion of the investigation”.