In a dramatic turn of events, armed police descended upon Best Bite, a pizza takeaway in Newcastle-upon-Tyne, late Thursday night, in connection with the ongoing manhunt for Abdul Ezedi, the fugitive wanted in relation to a horrific chemical attack in Clapham, South London. The raid targeted one of Ezedi’s known former places of employment, alongside another property in the area, as part of a coordinated effort to apprehend the suspect.

At approximately 11pm, a significant portion of the road outside Best Bite in Forest Hall was cordoned off. Armed officers, wearing masks, were heard demanding individuals inside the establishment to exit before employing a battering ram to access an upstairs flat. The operation saw detectives meticulously searching the takeaway and the flat for over two hours, eventually removing several items, including the hard drive from the shop’s CCTV system, as evidence. Staff members, caught unawares by the raid, were seen waiting outside in the cold, without even having had the chance to collect their coats.

The raid comes as the search for Ezedi enters its seventh day, intensifying after the attack that left a mother and her two daughters, aged three and eight, severely injured. The mother, 31, currently hospitalized and in critical condition, was reportedly lured into a meeting with Ezedi, her former partner before he launched the chemical assault.

Despite the thorough search of the premises associated with Ezedi, the operation in Newcastle did not result in an arrest, and Ezedi remains at large. The manager of Best Bite confirmed that the police search yielded no findings related to Ezedi at the takeaway. Staff at the establishment have indicated that Ezedi had only worked there briefly, about a year ago, though some locals suggest he might have been employed there more recently.

This incident underscores the complexities of the nationwide effort to capture Ezedi, who is now officially wanted for attempted murder due to the severity of the injuries inflicted during the attack. The Metropolitan Police, in collaboration with Northumbria Police, continue their investigation and searches, signalling a relentless pursuit of justice for the victims.

The Clapham chemical attack not only shocked the local community but also triggered a widespread response, highlighting the lengths to which law enforcement will go to protect citizens and bring those responsible to account. As the investigation proceeds, authorities urge anyone with information on Ezedi’s whereabouts to come forward, emphasizing the importance of public vigilance and cooperation in apprehending the fugitive.