Security at the State Command of the Nigeria Police Force, Ikeja, yesterday afternoon, was extra-ordinarily tight.
The visit by Sunday Vanguard to the State Command was in pursuit of the need to serve the readers with the latest in the unfolding saga of the arrested kidnap kingpin, Chukwudubem Onwuamadike a.k.a Evans.
The earlier impression was that the notorious gangster was being kept in a hidden location outside the headquarters.
Clutching a copy of Saturday Vanguard’s Special Edition, which was an expose of the kingpin, the story of his father, how his mother was a major influence in his life, as well as the plea by his Ghana-based wife and his children, the reporter stepped into the building housing members of the equally dreaded Special Anti-Robbery team, SARS.
Now, this team of crack detectives is noted for its swiftness in dealing with criminals, especially armed robbers.
Just as the reporter made some flights of stairs towards the first floor, he was confronted by fierce-looking and heavily armed policemen who were also descending the stairs.
His attention was immediately drawn to the man in their midst, who was gingerly toeing their steps.
Behold, it turned out to be the notorious man of the moment, Evans, in leg chains.
Instantaneously, the reporter’s instinct was aroused.
Without weighing the consequences of what he was about to do, he dared the menacing presence of the gun-totting policemen and confronted Evans.
This, inspite of the pushing and shoving by the eagle-eyed policemen wearing black vests with the bold inscription, FED SARS.
Sunday Vanguard’s reporter wasted no time in establishing communication with Evans – an act considered a breach of protocol.
But he was an experienced crime editor, with decades of experience, risking it all just to get his scoop.
The encounter:
Sunday Vanguard: Evans, (he raised his head eagerly looking at the reporter).
I just spoke with your wife and kids in Ghana.
Evans: It is not true.
Evans wife, Uchenna and kids
It can’t be my wife.
Sunday Vanguard: (Showing him the front page of the copy of Saturday Vanguard with the photograph of his wife and kids weeping) Look at them here.
Your son in particular, crying his hearts out.
Evans: (He quickly retraced his steps, looked intently at the photograph). Suddenly, his countenance changed.
(He became speechless upon seeing the photograph clearly).
Sunday Vanguard: Are the people in the photograph not your wife and kids?
Evans: (Looking downcast and in deep thought, maintained a studied silence).
Sunday Vanguard: Just look at what what you have done to your family. The many lives of innocent people you have ruined with your activities. Look at your beautiful kids crying their hearts out just for…
His hostile stare towards the reporter spoke volumes.
Were it possible, he would have grabbed the riffle from the policemen and shot at the reporter.
Sunday Vanguard: Evans, you are a very wicked man. See what you have done to your family. This is judgement time.
Meanwhile, this encounter may appear smooth and easy, but it was more like passing through the eye of the needle while it lasted because the policemen, though decorous, did not particularly cooperate and were angry.
At this stage, the policemen pounced on the reporter with guns drawn for a kill.
“Oga, if you don want trouble, leave this place now. (They snatched the newspaper forcefully from the reporter and ordered one of their armed colleagues to escort him out to the gate).
As the reporter was being led out, it was noticed that the copy of Saturday Vanguard was being passed from one eager hand to another as they quickly threw Evans back to the cell where they were taken him to
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