£20,000 reward for information leading to Clapham chemical attack suspect Abdul Ezedi

Investigators believe there are people who know where he is who have not come forward

Author: Owen ArandsPublished 4th Feb 2024

A reward of up to £20,000 is on offer for information leading to the arrest of Abdul Ezedi.

Investigators believe there are people who know where he is who have not come forward.

They warned anyone found assisting him faces arrest.

Abdul Ezedi is wanted in connection with an attack in Clapham which left a woman critically injured.

An extensive police operation led by the Metropolitan Police Service continues, as dozens of officers work with others to locate him.

Commander Jon Savell said: ““I am hugely grateful to the public for the significant number of calls that we have received.

“Your help is critical. A reward of up to £20,000 is now available for information leading to his arrest.

“I must warn anyone who is helping Ezedi to evade capture - if you are harbouring or assisting him then you will be arrested.

“Our inquiry line is staffed 24/7 by specialist detectives who are progressing enquiries around-the-clock.

“If you know where he is or have information that may assist call them now.”

Today we are releasing new information about Abdul Ezedi’s movements.

The last confirmed sighting of him is now at 21:33hrs on 31 January, when he exited Tower Hill Underground station.

He had changed trains at Victoria, where he arrived on the Victoria Line at 21:10hrs and departed on the eastbound District Line at 21:16hrs.

Our analysis of CCTV continues alongside many other lines of inquiry as dedicated officers work to establish where he went next.

Commander Savell added: “I can also provide an update today on laboratory analysis of the substance from the attack site.

“The liquid used in the attack was a very strong concentrated corrosive substance, either liquid sodium hydroxide or liquid sodium carbonate.

“Further enquiries are ongoing including comparison with the containers seized from Ezedi’s address in Newcastle.”

The manhunt to find Ezedi is being led by the Met’s Specialist Crime Command, working in conjunction with a broad range of specialist departments and local policing teams.

In addition, the Met is working with the Home Office, UK Border Force, UK Visas and Immigration, the National Crime Agency, British Transport Police and several other police forces.

Details of Ezedi have been circulated to all UK police forces and ports.

In an appeal directly to Abdul Ezedi, Darius Nasimi, of the charity the Afghanistan & Central Asian Association said: “Abdul, I am speaking directly to you.

“I want you to go straight to a police station immediately.

“You have a serious injury that needs to be seen to but, more importantly, you must do the right thing and hand yourself in to police.

“This has gone on for long enough.

“You can contact the charity if you wish and we can speak to you, and work together so that you can help the police with their enquiries.

“Abdul, please contact us as soon as you can, call 999, or go to a police station.”

As part of the renewed appeal, officers are releasing CCTV footage showing Ezedi at the Tesco store in Caledonian Road on 31 January. We have previously released a still image from this footage.

The 31-year-old woman injured in the attack remains in a critical but stable condition in hospital having suffered what are likely to be life-changing injuries. She was known to Abdul Ezedi.

Anyone with information about Abdul Ezedi is asked to call 020 7175 2784 or for an immediate sighting dial 999.

To remain anonymous, please contact the independent charity Crimestoppers.

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