by Alexander O. Onukwue

The coverage of the exploits of Evans the kidnapper is becoming truly overwhelming.

Over the course of the past week, different strands of his long history in kidnapping have emerged, from being himself a victim of kidnap to, building an empire with a purposely crafted supply-chain that would be of interest to MBA candidates.

It has felt like a movie at times, and it may just happen that some Nollywood director picks on it soon.

What could go wrong? Creating a cinematic account of the rise and ruin of Nigeria’s most notorious kidnapper would make for interesting viewing, wouldn’t it? It would surely not be the worst movie of the year if it comes out, as the location would almost entirely be in Lagos, without the need to go to London to shoot a forgettable picture.
Should it be by the new or old Nollywood? You don’t immediately see roles for an Adesua Etomi or an Ireti Doyle, but surely the Terminator of Okafor’s Law will not feel insulted taking on another exploratory role as Evans the Kidnapper, will he?

With the level of awareness already possessed by the public on the details, making movies on the real events of Evans life may not be an easy job. Evans managed to get himself arrested in his bedroom just a day before the week when the biopic of American rap legend, 2pac Shakur was released. The movie, ‘All Eyez On Me’ was almost dead on arrival, drawing a smack-down in seven tweets from American actress and producer, Jada Pinkett-Smith, wife of Will Smith and a childhood friend of 2Pac’s. The producers of the movie, according to Jada, painfully reconstructed her relationship with Shakur in ways that did not add up to her own experience of him.

For one week and counting, Evans has had all eyes and ears on his matter. Any Nollywood director had better get all the facts right before even taking the first shots.

Editor