The search for Abdul Ezedi, the 35-year-old Afghan asylum seeker suspected of dousing a mother and her two daughters with a corrosive substance in Clapham, south London, entered its fifth day today. Amid the ongoing manhunt, speculation about Ezedi’s fate has grown, with a former counter-terrorism chief suggesting he may already be deceased.
The Metropolitan Police have been diligently pursuing Ezedi since the horrific attack, which left the mother with potentially life-changing injuries. She remains in critical but stable condition, while her two daughters, aged three and eight, have been released from the hospital after receiving treatment for burns.
Nick Aldworth, a former national counter-terrorism co-ordinator, shared his perspective on Ezedi’s potential whereabouts, stating on BBC Radio 4’s Today program: “I think if we’ve not seen or heard from him in the last couple of days, which appears to be the case, he’s gone to ground, possibly supported by somebody… or it’s not unlikely that he may have taken his own life. There is therefore a body to be found somewhere.”
The last confirmed sighting of Ezedi was at 9.33 pm at Tower Hill Underground station in east London on January 31, shortly after the attack. Commander Jon Savell of the Metropolitan Police stated that the investigation into Ezedi’s movements was ongoing. Public cameras were being used to track his potential movements, a proven effective method in previous cases.
Authorities have offered a £20,000 reward for information leading to Ezedi’s arrest, and they are urging anyone with knowledge of his whereabouts to come forward. Police investigators suspect that some people know Ezedi’s location but have not cooperated with law enforcement. They have also warned that anyone found assisting him will face arrest.
Questions have arisen regarding how Ezedi, who had previously been convicted of a sexual offence, was granted asylum in the UK after two failed attempts. Police are currently investigating whether organized crime groups are assisting him in evading capture.
Education Secretary Gillian Keegan stated that the issue of how Ezedi was allowed to stay in the UK is being investigated by the Home Office, emphasizing that individuals with criminal records should not be allowed to remain in the country.
The manhunt for Ezedi, who claimed to have converted to Christianity, has involved multiple law enforcement agencies and continues to engage the public. Authorities are urging Ezedi to turn himself in for medical treatment and to cooperate with the ongoing investigation.
As the search for Abdul Ezedi continues, the nation remains on edge, hoping for a swift resolution to this disturbing case. Public vigilance and cooperation remain vital in bringing Ezedi to justice and ensuring the safety of the community.
