Police Arrests Suspects In Connection with Murdered Anambra Lawmaker 

The Anambra State Police have arrested nine individuals believed to be involved in the murder of Hon. Justice Azuka, the lawmaker representing Onitsha North 1 Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly.

Azuka was kidnapped on December 24, 2024, while travelling along Ugwunaobankpa Road in Onitsha. His body was discovered on the roadside near the Second Niger Bridge on Thursday, February 6, The discovery came after a joint operation by police and members of the Anambra Vigilante Group (AVG), who had initially launched a mission to rescue the lawmaker.

More than three bodies, including Azuka’s, were found at the crime scene. The gang admitted to killing their victims after collecting money, stating that they typically kill those they abducted.

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Authorities also revealed that a nurse from Asaba assisted the kidnappers in withdrawing N100 million from Azuka’s bank account before his death. A native doctor in Asaba, who provided charms to the group, has also been arrested.

In a statement, Anambra Police Commissioner CP Nnaghe Itam confirmed the breakthrough in the case. “Our efforts to rescue the abducted lawmaker ultimately led us to the discovery of his lifeless body,” he said. “We are now following up with intelligence-led investigations and arrests.”

The police arrested nine suspects in the early hours of Thursday, February 6. They recovered two pump-action guns, and one suspect was injured during an exchange of gunfire.

The arrested suspects are: Ugochukwu Onuorah (30), Ikemefuna Ossai (20), Ikenna Orugu (27), Chibuike Obiefuna (19), Chinonso Olisa (19), Chinedu Okoli (21), David Ojini (25), and Peter Sunday (20).

CP Itam expressed his gratitude to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, and Governor Prof. Chukwuma Soludo for their continued support in the fight against crime. He also thanked other agencies, the media, and local residents for their cooperation.