Police Arrest Suspected Member of Kidnap, Armed Robbery, and Car-Snatching Syndicate

The Anambra State Police Command has arrested another suspected member of a criminal syndicate linked to kidnapping, armed robbery, and car snatching, believed to be associated with a proscribed secessionist group.

Police spokesperson SP Ikenga Tochukwu disclosed on Thursday that operatives of the Rapid Response Squad in Awkuzu apprehended the suspect, 43-year-old Kalu Okafor, in the early hours of December 3, 2025, in Okpoko, Ogbaru Local Government Area.

During the operation, police recovered an array of weapons and equipment allegedly in Okafor’s possession, including one AK-47 rifle, one pump-action gun, two AK-47 magazines, 88 rounds of ammunition, two face masks, and two pairs of hand gloves.

According to the Command, the breakthrough followed the confession of a previously arrested gang member, Chukwudi Nwakpa, who revealed that the group routinely entrusted their firearms to Okafor after each kidnapping operation. Okafor reportedly admitted to receiving a share of proceeds from ransom payments collected from victims.

Meanwhile, the suspect is currently assisting police investigators with information aimed at tracking down additional fleeing members of the syndicate and recovering more weapons.