Mother in Clapham chemical attack 'may lose eyesight' as police release new CCTV image of suspect

Abdul Ezedi, the suspect of a chemical attack on a woman and her two children, was last seen on Wednesday. Credit: Metropolitan Police

A mother who was attacked in Clapham with a corrosive liquid may lose sight in her right eye, police have said as hunt continues for the suspect.

The Metropolitan Police released new CCTV images of fugitive Abdul Ezedi taken from footage recorded on Allhallows Lane, between London and Southwark Bridges, at 9.47pm on January 31.

A 22-year-old man on suspicion of assisting an offender was arrested and bailed on Monday, police said.

Ezedi has been on the run since Wednesday after a 31-year-old woman, believed to be known to him, was attacked alongside her two daughters, with a corrosive alkaline substance in Clapham, south London.

CCTV image dated 31/01/24 issued by the Met of Abdul Ezedi, the suspect in the Clapham substance attack, at Tesco in Caledonian Road. Credit: Met Police

Investigators are trawling through hundreds of hours of CCTV and have tracked Ezedi’s movements on the London Underground network via his bank card, with the latest sighting in the City of London at 9.50pm on Wednesday.

The last confirmed time he used his bank card was on Wednesday, police said.

Commander Jon Savell said investigators are keeping an open mind as to where he may be or what may have happened to him, but there is no suggestion that he jumped into the River Thames.

The victim's daughters, aged eight and three, were also hurt but have since been discharged from hospital.

The injuries to the young girls are “not likely to be life-changing”.

On Sunday, police said the suspect used a “very strong concentrated corrosive substance” in the attack.

Charity worker who knew fugitive 'shocked' after hearing about chemical attack
Abdul Ezedi pictured at King's Cross underground station on Wednesday evening. Credit: Metropolitan Police

Police said Ezedi left Newcastle for London in the early hours of Wednesday and was in the Tooting area by around 6.30am.

His vehicle was seen again in Croydon, south London, at around 4.30pm and by around 7pm he was in Streatham.

Ezedi allegedly threw the younger child to the ground during the attack at 7.25pm, before attempting to drive away from the scene, crashing into a stationary vehicle and fleeing on foot.

Minutes later he boarded a Tube train at Clapham South Underground station, and by 8pm he was at King’s Cross Tube station.

Police say three members of the public who came to the aid of the family during Wednesday’s attack, two aged in their 30s and one in her 50s, have all been discharged from hospital with minor burns.

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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