The Anambra State Police Command has arrested nine suspects in connection with the kidnap and brutal murder of Hon. Justice Azuka, the member representing Onitsha North 1 Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly.
Hon. Azuka was abducted at gunpoint on December 24, 2024, along Ugwunaobankpa Road in Inland Town, Onitsha, while returning home for Christmas. His lifeless body was discovered near the Second Niger Bridge on February 6, 2025, by security operatives.
Parading the suspects at the police headquarters in Awka on Friday, February 7, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, provided details of the operation that led to their arrest.
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“Many of you are aware of the gruesome murder of Hon. Justice Azuka, the Honourable State House of Assembly member representing Onitsha North Constituency 1 in the Anambra State House of Assembly who was abducted on December 24, 2024, in Onitsha,” CP Itam stated.
“This serious incident motivated the Command to go the extra mile in intelligence gathering and discreet investigation. In the early hours of February 6, 2025, at the Second Niger Bridge, the Joint Security team comprising the Police and Anambra State Vigilante Operatives (AVG) discovered his lifeless body at the scene. May his soul rest in perfect peace.”
He further revealed that on the same day, based on intelligence-led operations, the security operatives arrested nine suspects actively involved in the abduction and murder of the lawmaker.
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During the operation, two pump-action guns were recovered, and one of the suspects sustained a gunshot wound in his leg during a gun battle with the police.
The arrested suspects include: Ugochukwu Onuorah (30 years), Ikemefuna Ossai (20 years), Ikenna Orugu (27 years), Chibuike Obiefuna (19 years), Chinonso Olisa (19 years), Chinedu Okoli (21 years), David Ojini (25 years) and Peter Sunday (20 years), the most notorious of the group, who has a tattoo on his chest reading No peace 4 d Government.
Investigations are ongoing, and the suspects will be charged to court upon completion of legal proceedings.