The Anambra State Police Command has apprehended an 18-year-old suspected cultist, identified as Miracle Mwakalor, while allegedly planning an attack in the Nibo community, Awka South Local Government Area.
In a statement released on Saturday, the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, revealed that operatives from the Special Anti-Cultism Squad intercepted the suspect and recovered an AK-47 rifle along with a magazine at the gang’s hideout on Friday.
Ikenga stated, “Police operatives acting on credible intelligence arrested one Miracle Mwakalor, a male aged 18 from Umubele village in Awka-South Local Government Area, at about 2:30 pm on December 6, 2024. The suspect was apprehended while conspiring with his gang to unleash havoc in Nibo.”
The police spokesperson disclosed that during interrogation, the suspect admitted to the crime and directed officers to an apartment in Ubuofu, Awka, where the rifle was concealed in the roof. Efforts are underway to track down the other gang members who fled during the raid.
“We have intensified our operations to apprehend the fleeing members of this gang. Updates on the case will be provided as the investigation progresses,” Ikenga assured.
The arrest comes weeks after a series of cult-related clashes in Nibo and Nodu-Okpuno villages during the “Nibo Onwa Asaa Festival” on October 21. The violent events claimed the lives of at least 13 individuals.
In another development, the police announced the recovery of several stolen vehicles during separate operations across the state over the past two weeks.
The recovered vehicles include: A red Toyota Corolla with registration number ENUGU – AGN 409 AA,an unregistered ash-colored Lexus ES 350, a blue Mitsubishi Hilux with registration number GDD 440 TJ, an ash-colored Lexus ES 330 with registration number ACA 551 MA, a grey Toyota Highlander Jeep with registration number SMK 544 GP.
“We urge anyone seeking any of the listed vehicles to visit the Police Public Relations Office in Awka with valid proof of ownership for verification and collection,” Ikenga stated.
