DERICO, THE TERROR: THE DAYS OF ROBBERY
Derico Nwamama had a very interesting modus operandi.Although he terrorized the entire state of Anambra, striking in various places, particularly Onitsha, he was not residing in the state. As a matter of fact, his base was Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory. Derico only visited his hometown when it was time to launch maximum terror. And after raining a torrent of bullets and gunfire upon the hapless and ill-equipped officers of the Nigerian Police and defenceless Nigerians, he would speed back to his safe haven, hours away up north in Abuja, with his loot, safe on the laps of power, luxury and comfort.
At a period, Derico used the town of Umuleri as his hideout. Then from there, he would issue threatening messages to the police that they will pay for killing members of his gang. He also maintained his bases in other towns like Agbor.
HOW DERICO KILLED CHIEJINA, HIS FRIEND AND ANOTHER LEGENDARY ARMED ROBBER
Chiejina was from Aguleri, Anambra State and before Derico came onto the scene, Chiejina was described by the police as the deadliest armed robber in all of Anambra State. The centre of his lethal operations was Onitsha. Derico’s father too was from Aguleri and in no time, the paths of the two met and they became very good friends and colleagues in the armed robbery business. However, their friendship would not last for long as bloody arguments soon broke out between the two of them over the scope and nature of executing their operations. You know, when two lions fight over territory and stuff. Both of them were at the peak of their strengths and they were equally feared all over the region. But the lethality of Derico would soon prove too toxic for Chiejina. During a violent argument over their mode of operation, Derico blasted Chiejina to an early grave with a volley of bullets. After the death of Chiejina, Derico became the undisputed emperor of terror in the land. Anambra was in soup, and the environs would not be spared too.
THE HUNT, SEARCH AND CAPTURE OF DERICO
Around May 2001, the Anambra State Police Command launched the Operation Derico which was aimed at capturing Derico and his gang members. There had…
