The Anambra State Police Command has arrested 43-year-old Kalu Okafor, a suspected kidnapper believed to be linked to a proscribed secessionist group. Police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, said Okafor was apprehended during an intelligence-led operation carried out by the Rapid Response Squad in the Okpoko area of Ogbaru Local Government Area. His arrest followed the confession of a detained gang member, Chukwudi Nwakpa, who disclosed that the group routinely entrusted their firearms to Okafor after each kidnapping operation.
During the raid, the police recovered an AK-47 rifle, a pump-action gun, two AK-47 magazines, 88 rounds of live ammunition, face masks, and hand gloves. Okafor reportedly admitted to receiving part of the ransom proceeds collected from kidnap victims.
According to Ikenga, the suspect is currently assisting investigators in tracking down other fleeing members of the gang and in recovering additional weapons.The police noted that the arrest is part of intensified security operations across the state, following another recent capture of a suspected member of the same secessionist group in Ozubulu. The ongoing raids were ordered by the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, to curb rising criminal activities linked to the group.
