DESPERATE HUNT
Clapham chemical attack: Moment cops raid home in search for Abdul Ezedi and discover crucial pieces of evidence
Cops have raided five homes during their desperate search for the fugitive
THIS is the moment cops raided a home in the search for fugitive Abdul Ezedi - and discovered crucial evidence.
Ezedi, 35, from Newcastle, is still at large after he allegedly doused a mum and her young kids with a corrosive alkaline liquid on Wednesday.
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He also allegedly tried to run the woman over before twice slamming her three-year-old daughter on the ground "like a rag doll".
Searches have taken place at two homes in east London and three in Newcastle.
Cops yesterday released footage of officers entering one home in Newcastle where empty containers with corrosive warnings on the labels were found.
Police say forensic tests are "currently ongoing" to see if the containers held the substance used in the attack.
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Commander Jon Savell said: “Abdul Ezedi was last seen at King's Cross Underground Station at 9pm on Wednesday, 31 January, where he boarded a Victoria Line train travelling southbound.
“The police investigation to establish his subsequent movements and ultimately locate him is continuing at pace.
“I want to thank everyone who has contacted police to share what they know.
“We have received dozens of calls with information, including possible sightings, and every single piece of information has been recorded and forms part of our ongoing investigation.
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“I can assure the public that my colleagues and I are fully committed to using every available tool and tactic for as long as it takes to find Abdul Ezedi.
“I am today urging the public to remain vigilant and to contact police immediately if they may have seen Ezedi or have information about him.
“I would also like to reiterate that if you see Ezedi, you should call 999 immediately. He should NOT be approached."
Cops from the National Crime Agency, nicknamed "Britain's FBI", were drafted into the manhunt last night.
NCA agents are probing whether organised crime groups might be helping Ezedi evade capture.
One of Ezedi's relatives has now told that the suspect was in a relationship with the mum.
The relative said they would hand Ezedi into cops themselves if they had to.
It comes after Ezedi's distraught brother Hassan urged the chemical attack suspect to give himself up.
21-year-old Hassan spoke out after riot squad police officers in hazmat suits raided his East London home at 2am yesterday.
The early-morning operation was one of five five raids carried out in London and Newcastle to find Ezedi.
Hassan told The Sun: "If I knew where he was, I’d turn him in for what he did.
"I don’t know if he’s alive or where he is now. I saw him briefly last week.
"He wasn’t living with me. He was in Newcastle."
Ezedi is believed to have tracked his victim down to the two-star Clapham South Belvedere Hotel, where the council had put her up with her daughters, aged three and eight.
Members of the public and cops were also burned as they rushed to the family’s aid.
A 22-year-old man who has stayed in the Belvedere Hotel for three months said he saw the woman flee into the reception and scream for help after the chilling attack.
Manhunt cops are urging people not to approach "dangerous" fugitive Ezedi.
'DANGEROUS' FUGITIVE
Now it has been revealed that Ezedi arrived in the UK in a lorry and failed to claim asylum.
However, he then converted to Christianity and was accepted on his third attempt with a priest as a character witness.
Ezedi pleaded guilty to one charge of sexual assault and one of exposure before he was granted asylum, the Crown Prosecution Service has confirmed.
He was sentenced at Newcastle Crown Court on January 9, 2018, to a nine-week jail term suspended for two years for the sexual assault.
For the exposure he was given 36 weeks' imprisonment to be served consecutively, which was also suspended for two years.
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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.
Everything we know about Ezedi
What were Ezedi's last known movements?
Manhunt cops say Ezedi's car was seen in Newcastle at quarter past midnight on Wednesday.
By 6.30am the car was seen travelling into Tooting, south west London.
A further sighting of his car was confirmed in Croydon at 4.30pm and Ezedi was seen driving in Streatham at 7pm.
The attack on a 31-year-old woman, and her daughters, aged three and eight, took place in Lessar Avenue in Clapham at 7.25pm that night.
The mum is believed to be known to Ezedi, cops said.
Ezedi made off in his car but it crashed nearby. He then left the vehicle and ran off.
At 7.33pm Ezedi boarded a Northern line train at Clapham South Tube station.
Ezedi got off at King's Cross just before 8pm.
He was seen on CCTV leaving a Tesco Express at 21 Caledonian Road, near King's Cross, and turning right.
The suspect had significant facial injuries and is believed to have bought a bottle of water.
Ezedi re-entered King's Cross Tube station at 9pm and boarded a southbound Victoria line train.
The suspect has not been seen since.
Does Ezedi have a criminal record?
Ezedi was convicted of a sexual offence in 2018 and given a suspended sentence at Newcastle Crown Court.
The Crown Prosecution Service confirmed he was sentenced on January 9 of that year after pleading guilty to one charge of sexual assault and one of exposure.
He was put on the Sex Offenders Register for 10 years.
Why was Ezedi given asylum in the UK?
Ezedi was granted asylum in 2020 on his third attempt - after he was convicted of the sex offence.
He reportedly arrived in the UK on the back of a lorry in 2016 and claimed to have converted to Christianity to back up his asylum bid.
A priest told the Telegraph that Ezedi had converted to Christianity and was "wholly committed" to his new religion.
What happened to Ezedi's face?
CCTV from Wednesday night shows Ezedi with what police have described as very "significant injuries to the right side of his face".
Met Police Commander Jon Savell addressed him directly, saying: "Abdul, you clearly have got some very significant injuries.
"We've seen the images. You need some medical help, so do the right thing and hand yourself in."