The Anambra State Police Command has taken into custody a suspected armed robber believed to be connected to the killing of Honourable Justice Azuka, the late Labour Party (LP) representative of Onitsha North 1 Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly.
Azuka was abducted on December 24, 2024, while traveling home for Christmas. After weeks of searching, his decomposing remains were sadly found on February 6, 2025, near the Second Niger Bridge—a discovery that sent shockwaves through the state and intensified pressure on security agencies to find his killers.
According to reports, the suspect—a 26-year-old man—was arrested on December 8 by operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) in Awkuzu. The arrest occurred during a coordinated raid in the Iyowa Odekpe area of Ogbaru Local Government Area, a location police described as a hotspot for organized criminal activity.
Police spokesperson SP Tochukwu Ikenga revealed that the suspect sustained severe injuries during what he termed a “violent exchange” with officers. After being subdued and taken into custody, the man allegedly confessed to heading multiple armed groups that operate not only in Anambra but also across neighboring states. Most importantly, he admitted to participating in the kidnapping and eventual murder of Honourable Azuka.
During the operation, police recovered a locally fabricated Beretta pistol along with eleven rounds of live ammunition. Ikenga further noted that the suspect bore chilling tattoos reading “No Forgiveness” and “No Mercy,” which officers believe reflect his long-standing involvement in violent crime.
The police spokesperson hailed the arrest as a major breakthrough in ongoing efforts to dismantle criminal networks terrorizing communities in the region. He added that the information obtained from the suspect is expected to aid investigators in tracking down additional members of the syndicate responsible for the lawmaker’s death.
The tragic killing of Justice Azuka marks the second time in recent years that an Anambra legislator has been abducted and murdered, following the 2022 killing of Hon. Okechukwu Okoye. The recurring pattern has heightened concerns about the safety of public officials and the broader security landscape in the state.
The Anambra State Police Command is urging residents to remain alert and share credible information discreetly through its Control Room at 07039194332 or the PPRO’s direct line at 08039334002, assuring that all reports will be treated with strict confidentiality.
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