Anambra Lawmaker’s Murder Suspects Vanish—Mystery Deepens!

February 19, 2025

136

Anambra Lawmaker’s Murder Suspects Vanish—Mystery Deepens!

These two suspects were arrested by the police and are now said to be connected with the murder of the late member representing Onitsha 1 Constituency in the House of Assembly of Anambra State Hon Justice Azuka.

The Police Public Relations Officer of Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said this in a statement on Tuesday in Awka, the state capital.

Azuka was kidnapped and attacked by gunmen on Christmas eve while he was returning home for the festivities.

His corpse was discovered earlier this month on the Second Niger Bridge. Speaking yesterday, Ikenga disclosed that immediately the report about the escape of the suspects reached the Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, he quickly mobilized human, operational, and intelligence assets to ensure the re-arrest of the fleeing suspects.

Not only that, but he has also ordered the disciplinary action of officers discovered to be negligent in the occurrence.

According to the police spokesperson, preliminary investigations suggest that the suspects were aiding police officers in the operation to apprehend a receiver of stolen goods and recover operational vehicles used by the criminal gang.

Ikenga stated, “The Commissioner of Police CP Ikioye Orutugu, on receipt of the report today February 18, 2025 about the escape of the two suspects involved in the murder of Late Hon Justice Azuka, Member Representing Onitsha 1 Constituency in the State House of Assembly.

“He has consequently deployed both human, operational and intelligence assets of the Command for the re-arrest of the suspects and directed immediate disciplinary action against the Officers found wanting in this regard.

“Preliminary information reveals that following the confession of the criminal gang, two of the suspects are assisting the Police Investigating Officers in an Operation to arrest the receiver and recover the Operational vehicles that the gang used in their deadly activities.

“During the onslaught operation by the Operatives, the suspect (the receiver) was apprehended while two vehicles, suspected to have been snatched from unsuspecting members of the public, were recovered.

“However, the other two suspects took off.

” To this end, the CP reiterated that the Command is on offense against every criminal element in the State and that efforts are in top gear to ensure that the suspects are re-arrested and justice served.