The suspected kidnap kingpin, Emmanuel Ikechukwu Ewa, aka ‘John Lion’ who was arrested in Abuja and behind a series of high-profile kidnappings in Bayelsa State was on Monday paraded alongside three members of his gang at the Police Officers Mess, Yenagoa Bayelsa State.
Ewa was arrested by operatives of Operation Puff Adder in Abuja and was transferred to Yenagoa, the Bayelsa State capital, where he was paraded.
Ewa, who runs Lion Interior Hub as cover for his criminal activities, is known for his lavish lifestyle and heavy spending at nightclubs in Yenagoa, was paraded alongside three other members of his gang, Emmanuel Charles Angase, a 37years native of Azuzuma Southern Ijaw Local Government Area of Bayelsa State, Innocent Kingsley, 31 years, a native of Egbu Community Etche LGA, Rivers State, and one Timi Werikumo a 21-years old native of Azuzuama Community Southern Ijaw LGA, Bayelsa State. Other members of the gang are at large.
MY JOB WAS TO LEAD THE GANG TO THE VICTIMS’ HOUSES, I GOT N1.5m, $10,000–EWA
Narrating his involvement, the prime suspect, John Ikechukwu Ewa, a.k.a. John Lion, a 30-year-old native of Eruah Community in Boki Local Government Area of Cross River State, said: “I was involved in the kidnapping of Danjuma, I was not aware of the kidnapping, I was told they have a business together, I should just tell them where he is staying. I was working there in Sterling Bank as a cleaner, I left there in 2003.
I appreciate not being part of the gang, I was just misled. In sharing of the ransom they gave me as a dash N1.5 Million then $10,000 was given to me by Emmanuel when I change the money it was N7.5m.
“Lion is my name, it is the English translation of Ewa. I played the role of showing them Danjuma’s house. I did not play any role in Akin’s kidnap, I only showed them his house that he is the former boss I didn’t know that they were kidnappers."