Today in 2001: Derico Nwamama was beheaded.
Okwudili Ndiwe, known as Derico Nwamama, was a notorious criminal who terrorized the South East between the late 90s and early 2000s. He was just 22 years old.
Starting as a street urchin in Onitsha, he graduated to a pickpocket and then became a dreaded criminal. The mere mention of his name sent shivers down the spines of everyone in Igboland.
Derico rose to prominence after he killed his friend Chiejina, a cold-blooded armed robber who ruled the streets of Onitsha at that time. Their friendship began during the famous Umuleri/Aguleri War, but Derico was based in Abuja and only visited the East for robbery operations.
After Chiejina’s death, Derico became the undisputed terror in the land. The entire Anambra State and its environs were in turmoil. Traders in Onitsha couldn’t display their goods in peace, and people slept with one eye open. Derico raided banks in Onitsha, carting away millions of naira. Travelers passing through the state held their breath, expecting him to strike at any time.
According to reports, he killed over 200 people, including 25 police officers. He carried out countless bus robberies and didn’t hesitate to shoot anyone.
After his successful raids, he would boast and declare himself invincible. At some point, he used the town of Umuleri as his hideout.
In December 2000, Derico and his gang attacked a 59-seater luxury bus at the popular Upper Iweka. The bus was about to leave for Lagos. After robbing everyone on board, they decided to kill everybody (only 4 people survived). This incident prompted Governor Mbadinuju to bring in the dreaded Bakassi Boys to help salvage d state and restore normalcy.
On Tuesday, July 3,2001, Derico was on a bus going from Agbor to Onitsha. When the bus reached the Onitsha axis of d Bridge Head, the Bakassi Boys stopped it. Sensing danger, he jumped through the window 2 run away, but before he could escape, a Bakassi member chopped off his head.
