Nigerian police have accused notorious kidnapper and armed robber Henry Chibueze, popularly known as ‘Vampire’, of killing more than 200 people during years of criminal operations across parts of the South-East and South-South.
The shocking allegations were made in March 2017 following the death of Chibueze, whose criminal activities reportedly included kidnapping for ransom, armed robbery and multiple murders.
According to police spokesperson CSP Jimoh Moshood, Chibueze had confessed to killing more than 200 people. Among the cases attributed to him was the murder of his girlfriend, Sandra, and eight members of her family in Lagos, including six children.
Police said Chibueze allegedly claimed that the killings followed a dispute over his share of a ₦110 million ransom payment, from which he accused his girlfriend of taking ₦45 million.
The authorities also linked his gang to several high-profile killings in Imo State and neighbouring states. These included the murder of a serving member of the Imo State House of Assembly in 2015, the abduction and killing of a traditional ruler’s wife from Mbaise, and the killing of three members of a family in Nkwerre after ransom was collected.
Chibueze had been declared wanted in 2013. On 27 January 2017, armed men reportedly stormed the Owerri High Court, where he was standing trial, and freed him and other inmates.
His escape triggered an intensified manhunt by security operatives. He was eventually killed on 2 March 2017 during a gun battle with police special forces at a hideout in Omu Awa Forest, Ikwerre Local Government Area of Rivers State.
Police also arrested members of his gang and reported recovering five AK-47 rifles and 300 rounds of ammunition during the operation.
The case became one of the country’s most notorious criminal stories, drawing attention to the deadly consequences of kidnapping, armed robbery and the challenges facing security agencies.
Note: The figure of more than 200 deaths was attributed to police statements about Chibueze’s alleged confession.
