There was uproar on the social media sphere after some Nigerians launched a campaign to clamour for the release of notorious kidnap kingpin, Chukwudubem Onwuamadike, alias Evans.

Creating a hashtag #FreeEvans, the movement has since gathered momentum as many people are calling on the police to release the suspect they arrested on Saturday, June 10, 2017.

Championed by Evans’ wife, Uche, the campaign for his release was based on the premise that if he is released, he will help the police in cracking other high profile cases.

According to their reasoning, Evans should not be jailed while some corrupt politicians who have been accused of embezzling funds are still walking around free.

As at Saturday, the hashtag had garnered over 51,000 tweets and retweets, while the figure skyrocketed to about 70,000 Tuesday and however shocking it might be, has since clinched the third position on the trends list in Nigeria.

From the absurd tweets to the absolutely ridiculous ones, the hashtag #FreeEvans has definitely set the Twitter sphere ablaze for three days in a row and from the look of things, will not be abating anytime soon.

According to one Idowu Bello Johnson, “Is he (Evans) worse than most politicians who have been killing and wasting lives of both opponent and masses during elections for political office?”

The first tweet that launched the hashtag came from one @carxsan, who wrote, “Are you sure this Evans story was not created to distract us about the whereabouts of Buhari?

“Evans deserves a second chance, Buhari already has his second chance. The hashtag is not rodiculous. #FreeEvans.

“I am sure those be offended already forgave him long before now. Forgiveness is a favour you do yourself. #FreeEvans.”

Abiola Kazeem wrote, “If we could be as mad at our thieving leaders as we are at Evans, we would be on our way to fixing Nigeria.”

However loud the voices of those clamouring for his release were, those baying for his blood kept drowning it.

Of those against the clamour for his release was one Ogbeni Dipo, who was one of the most vocal about his exasperation about the movement, especially those who said Evans’ arrest was an ethnic vendetta against the Igbo tribe.

He said: “We live in a country where some are beginning to feel sympathy for Evans the kidnapper. All of you are mad. Kidnappers deserve no mercy.
“#FreeEvans? Free someone that killed citizens, police officers and destroyed families? Your family members might be next. Continue. If you want your life to be unfortunate, please turn this Evans kidnapping to ethnic issue.”

Rights activist, Debo Adeniran, said: “All those who made it possible for Evans to escape justice for so long and those hiding behind professional calling or activism to seek a cut of proceeds of crime should be treated as accomplices!”

According to Japheth Omojuwa, a social entrepreneur, the Evans media machine is running on the canvas of mercy using the wife and children as the cross of mercy.

Twitter user @ayourb said: “This Evans new tactics is baffling, but seeing PR agents working to free a man who might harm them tomorrow if freed, is truly very scary.

“Something is definitely wrong with us. Kidnapping and armed robbery are heinous vices we all hate but suddenly some want mercy for a kingpin?
“If Lawrence Anini were alive today and caught I swear some idiots would come out to beg for him. We seem to have lost every sense of decency and shame.
“Little wonder crime is getting worse in our society seems we now celebrate wealth. See known yahoo boys flexing yet we all turn blind eye.”

Addressing the suspect’s wife who began the plea for his release, he said: “When your wicked husband was making other families cry, destroying lives and livelihoods you were living large on his proceed of crime weren’t you?”

Tweeting from @ebuka_akara, another Twitter user said: “Which one is ‘Free Evans’? So you mean he hasn’t been hanged or electrocuted by now? Nigeria is not a sane country.”

Feeling a need to remind those clamouring for his release on Evans’ ruthless streak, Mina Nnajwa said: “Evans charged a family an extra $1m for being rude to him. Let that sink in.”

Also, one Nonso Ani said: “Everybody partaking in #freeevans may kidnappers locate you. Evans destroyed families in Festac. My goodness.”

There were yet others like Nedu Ekeke, who bayed for Evans’ blood. He said: “Evans should be executed publicly. I, Chinedu Ekeke, typed these words myself.”
He was supported by one Osaro Ikhimwim, who said: “It will serve as an example to those who are negatively motivated by this story.”

Chima Obinwa who went for the jugular said: “Quick execution will be too easy. His eyelash should all be plucked, his fingers and toes burnt.”

Evans, who was arrested alongside six of his gang members, has kidnapped several people with ransom for their release running into millions of naira and dollars.

EVANS, WHO WAS NABBED BY A COMBINED TEAM OF POLICE OFFICERS AND MEN FROM THE INTELLIGENCE RESPONSE TEAM (IRT) AND THE TECHNICAL INTELLIGENCE UNIT (TIU) AT HIS PRIVATE RESIDENCE IN MAGODO, LAGOS, ON JUNE 10, WAS DESCRIBED BY THE POLICE AS A VERY INTELLIGENT SUSPECT.

OTHER MEMBERS OF THE GANG THAT WERE ALSO ARRESTED AT DIFFERENT LOCATIONS INCLUDE FELIX CHINEMEREM, 36, FROM AROCHUKWU IN OHAFIA LOCAL GOVERNMENT AREA OF ABIA STATE, AND NWOSU CHIKODI CHUKWUMA, AKA SUDO, 42, AND IS SAID TO HAVE OVER 20 YEARS EXPERIENCE IN ARMED ROBBERY AND ABOUT EIGHT YEARS EXPERIENCE IN KIDNAPPING.

OTHER ARRESTED MEMBERS OF THE GANG ARE UCHECHUKWU AMADI FROM ANAMBRA STATE WHO THE POLICE DESCRIBED AS THE HEAD OF EVANS’ DETENTION CAMP, A FEMALE, OGECHI AMADI, SAID TO BE THE WOMAN THAT RENTED THE HOUSE AND COOKS FOR THE KIDNAPPERS AND THEIR VICTIMS IN THE CAMP.

THE REST ARE SUOYO PAUL, AKA NWANA, 42, A NATIVE OF BAYELSA STATE, AND IS SAID TO BE THE ONE SUPPLYING THE GANG WITH RIFLES AND AMMUNITION, WHILE IKENNA EMEKA, 28, FROM ANAMBRA STATE, SAID HE PARTICIPATED IN FOUR KIDNAPPINGS IN FESTAC TOWN WITH EVANS BEFORE EVANS SACKED HIM FROM THE GANG FOR STEALING AN EXPENSIVE WRIST WATCH AND A RING FROM A VICTIM WITHOUT INFORMING HIM.

Source:
http://www.thisdaylive.com/index.php/2017/06/20/uproar-as-nigerians-demand-release-of-notorious-kidnapper-evans/

Celcius:
There was uproar on the social media sphere after some Nigerians launched a campaign to clamour for the release of notorious kidnap kingpin, Chukwudubem Onwuamadike, alias Evans...

According to their reasoning, Evans should not be jailed while some corrupt politicians who have been accused of embezzling funds are still walking around free...

Evans, who was arrested alongside six of his gang members, has kidnapped several people with ransom for their release running into millions of naira and dollars.

Who are the Nigerians? Because everyone Nigerian I have come across, wants nothing but justice for the numerous victims whose properties and lives were lost and destroyed as consequences of Evil Evan's actions.

oake:



Who are the Nigerians? Because everyone Nigerian I have come across, wants nothing but justice for the numerous victims whose properties and lives were lost and destroyed

Good. But you can see how some ordinary citizen, maybe an insignificant number, can try to stand in the way of justice and show irritable empathy for criminals. Its not new in Nigeria?
#VeryDisturbing

He should be released... and given to the streets for Jungle Justice!!

Celcius:


Good. But you can see how some ordinary citizen, maybe an insignificant number, can try to stand in the way of justice and show irritable empathy for criminals. Its not new in Nigeria?
#VeryDisturbing

It is really disturbing, and most especially so, when it's only a particular region that is well known for this wicked folly.

BiafraBushBoy:
He should be released... and given to the streets for Jungle Justice!!

No o...
Those people that carry out that jungle justice act are 80% likely criminals or terrorist. It takes more than a wicked heart to lynch a human. When you give them human, it helps them perfects their acts and see it as nothing.

Free him ?? "the campaign for his release was based on the premise that if he is released, he will help the police in cracking other high profile cases." for wetin ?? na now we dey see am ?? Even the whites don't free people like this, he'll have to be in prison, then if you need his knowledge in solving the damn cases you want, you can take d case to him for advice...Bullshiiiiit, so just cus his wife cried and showed us the kids crying..the other families whose lives they ruined doesnt deserve justice ?? Nigeria still has a long way to go