Notorious Kidnap Kingpin Kelvin Oniarah Freed After Presidential Pardon
Kelvin Prosper Oniarah, the 44-year-old notorious kidnap kingpin once feared across parts of southern Nigeria, has regained his freedom after receiving a presidential pardon from President Bola Ahmed Tinubu.
Oniarah, popularly known as Kelvin Ibruvwe, was the dreaded leader of a kidnapping and armed robbery syndicate responsible for the deaths of several police and military officers, as well as numerous civilians.
He was arrested on September 25, 2013, in a joint operation by operatives of the Department of State Services (DSS)and the Nigerian Army after years on the wanted list of security agencies.
Before his capture, Kelvin was implicated in several high-profile abductions, including the kidnap of human rights lawyer Barrister Mike Ozekhome (SAN) along the Auchi–Benin Road on August 24, 2013. He was also responsible for the kidnappings of:
- A judge of the Edo State Judiciary,
- A senior female official of the Federal Inland Revenue Service (FIRS),
- Dr. Chudi Nwike, a former Deputy Governor of Anambra State, who was killed while in captivity,
- Several National Youth Service Corps (NYSC) members and security personnel.
Oniarah’s gang operated across Delta, Edo, Rivers, and Anambra States, maintaining operational bases and detention camps in Warri, Kokori (Delta State), Ugbokolo (Benue State), Benin City (Edo State), and Aba (Abia State).
In September 2013, just days before his arrest, Kelvin issued a 60-day ultimatum to the Federal Government, demanding the release of his detained gang members or threatening to unleash terror on innocent Nigerians.
After spending 12 years of his 20-year prison sentence, Kelvin Oniarah was among inmates recently granted presidential amnesty by President Tinubu, allowing him to walk free once again.
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