Derico Nwamama

Okwudili Ndiwe predominantly known as Derico Nwamama was a Nigerian serial killer and armed robber. He terrorised Anambra state from 2000 until he was apprehended by the Bakassi Boys in 2001.^[1][2][3]

Derico Nwamama
Born	Okwudili Ndiwe 1979 (1979) Anambra State
Died	9 July 2001(2001-07-09) (aged 21–22) Ochanja market, Anambra State
Cause of death	Execution (Decapitation)
Other names	Derico
Citizenship	Nigerian
Occupation	Serial killer
Years active	2000 — 2001
Conviction	Guilt
Criminal charge	Genocide Armed robbery, Serial killer
Accomplice	Chiejina
Details
Victims	25 Policemen 100 civilians
Span of crimes	2000 (2000) – 2001 (2001)
Country	Nigeria
State	Anambra State
Locations	Onitsha Nnewi Nkpor Umuleri Ihiala
Date apprehended	3 July 2001
Notes
[1]

Early life

Nwamama started off as a pickpocket and street urchin. He transformed into an armed robber during the tenure of governor Chinwoke Mbadinuju at the age of 22.^[1][4] He started off by robbing market women and banks. He was reported to have killed 25 policemen and at least 100 civilians during his crime span.^[1][5]

Death

After all trials by the Nigerian police force to nab Nwamama proved abortive, governor Mbadinuju invited the Bakassi Boys to take over.^[1] On 3 July 2001, the Bakassi Boys got an intel that Nwamama was coming to Onitsha, they laid an ambush, intercepting him at Nkpor. 6 days later, on 9 July 2001, the Bakassi Boys paraded Nwamama at the Ochanja market before beheading him with a machete.^[2][6]

In popular culture

A film titled Issakaba, an anagram for the Bakassi Boys, was produced in 2001 by Lancelot Oduwa Imasuen, and it depicted the origin of the vigilante group and their encounter with Nwamama.^[7]