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.
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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