The University of Calabar (UNICAL) has denied knowledge of embattled notorious kidnap kingpin, John Ewa, popularly known as John Lyon.
John was arrested on Sunday by operatives of the Nigeria Police in Abuja, the Federal Capital Territory.
His personal profile on social media handles however states that he “studied at the University of Calabar” (UNICAL).
The information was immediately captured by many blogs and media houses who linked him, expectedly, with the federal university.
In its reaction, the institution issued a terse statement on Wednesday said ‘John’ Lyon’ was neither a student of the university, nor did he graduate from there.
The statement issued in Calabar by the Registrar of the institution, Gabriel Egbe, stated that the university’s management stumbled in media reports.
It said: “The said John Ewa was never a student of the university, neither did he graduate from the institution.
“We urge members of the public to discount any information linking John Ewa to our prestigious university.”
Reports about the kidnap kingpin went viral on Monday when the Bayelsa State police command paraded him with three members of his gang.
Police sources said Ewa, who runs Lyon Interior hub as a cover for his criminal activities, is known for his lavish lifestyle and heavy spending at nightclubs in Yenagoa.
There are claims that Ewa masterminded the kidnapping of the sister to former governor Seriake Dickson and top Igbo businessmen.
Ewa during interrogation confessed to having been involved in only two kidnap incidents and denied being part of the gang that kidnapped Danjuma.
Related story:
Bayelsa Kidnap Kingpin Who Advised Hustlers to Keep Their Source of Wealth Private Arrested in Abuja
‘John Ewa Was Never Our Student’ UNICAL Denies Alleged Kidnap Kingpin