By Izunna Okafor, Awka
The Anambra State Police Command has arrested a 26-year-old suspected criminal, Udochukwu Okafor, popularly known as Small-Moto, over alleged involvement in armed robbery, kidnapping, cult-related activities and secessionist-related offences in Ebenebe community, Awka North Local Government Area of the state.
The suspect, who was reportedly on the wanted list of the Police Command, was arrested on the morning of Saturday, October 24, during a targeted operation conducted by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu.
The Police Public Relations Officer of the Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement issued on Sunday, explaining that the operation followed intelligence-led efforts to apprehend the suspect over his alleged involvement in various criminal activities.
According to the police spokesman, preliminary interrogation of the suspect reportedly revealed that he had allegedly snatched a pump-action firearm from a vigilante operative in Ebenebe.
Ikenga further stated that the suspect reportedly disclosed that he possessed a locally made short gun, which he and other members of his alleged gang were said to have used in carrying out their criminal operations.
The police spokesman also disclosed that Small-Moto allegedly admitted to being a member of the Supreme Vikings Confraternity, also known as Aro-Baggers, a group suspected of involvement in cult-related violence in Awka and neighbouring communities.
The Command, according to the statement, has intensified investigations into the case, particularly efforts to recover the firearms reportedly mentioned by the suspect and establish the full extent of his alleged involvement in the offences for which he was being sought.
The police are also working to identify and arrest other suspected members of the gang who remain at large, as investigations continue into the activities attributed to the group.
Ikenga noted that the suspect remained in police custody as of Sunday, further assuring residents that efforts to identify and apprehend individuals involved in criminal activities would be sustained in the interest of public safety and security.
