Azuka, who represented Onitsha 1 Constituency, was kidnapped by gunmen on December 24, 2024, while returning home at Ugwunapampa Road, Inland Town, Onitsha.
By Jeffrey Agbo
Anambra State Police Command said on Tuesday that one of the suspects allegedly involved in the kidnapping and murder of state lawmaker Justice Azuka has been re-arrested.
Azuka, who represented Onitsha 1 Constituency, was kidnapped by gunmen on December 24, 2024, while returning home at Ugwunapampa Road, Inland Town, Onitsha.
His body was recovered on the Second Niger Bridge on February 6, 2025.
Anambra police spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the suspect’s re-arrest in a statement.
The fleeing suspects, who were among 11 others detained in connection with the killing of Azuka, escaped when they led operatives of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, in search of one Tochukwu Akolisa.
Akolisa was mentioned by the suspects as one of those buying off their victims’ vehicles and other valuables.
According to Ikenga, this re-arrest followed a painstaking and intelligence-led operation.
“The suspect, who had previously escaped custody, was tracked across multiple states within Nigeria and even into a neighbouring West African country,” he said.
“He was eventually apprehended on May 7, in Asaba, the Delta capital.
”Upon sighting the operatives, the suspect attempted to escape arrest but was swiftly subdued and sustained a gunshot wound to the leg in the process.
“The command in its continued commitment to transparency and accountability, has briefed relevant stakeholders including the family of the late lawmaker and the leadership of the Anambra House of Assembly.”
The Anambra police spokesman explained the state Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, had acknowledged and expressed regret over the operational lapses that led to the suspect’s earlier escape.
Ikenga said that intelligence obtained from the suspect was currently aiding ongoing operations.
“The command has intensified efforts to apprehend the remaining fugitive and dismantle the criminal network responsible for this heinous crime,” he said.
