Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi has claimed that kidnappers in Nigeria learned their tactics from billionaire kidnapper Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike, widely known as Evans. Gumi made this assertion in a Facebook post reacting to reports of illegal arms manufacturing sites discovered in Vom, Jos South Local Government Area of Plateau State.
Discovery of Illegal Arms Factories
According to reports, troops from Operation Enduring Peace uncovered illegal arms factories allegedly linked to suspected Berom militia members. These individuals are accused of fabricating weapons used in attacks across Plateau State. The discovery has sparked widespread concern about the proliferation of locally made firearms.
Gumi's Reaction
Sharing the report on his Facebook page, Gumi stated that the perpetrators learned from Evans. He wrote: “Chukwudumeme Onwuamadike (commonly called ‘Evans’) – 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.”
Evans was arrested in 2017 and has been linked to numerous high-profile kidnappings in Lagos and other parts of Nigeria. His methods, including targeting the wealthy and demanding exorbitant ransoms, set a precedent that Gumi believes has been emulated by other criminal elements.
The cleric's comments have reignited debates about the influence of high-profile criminals on the country's security challenges. Many Nigerians have taken to social media to express their views, with some agreeing with Gumi's assessment while others argue that kidnapping predates Evans.
