By Okey Maduforo
Twenty-four hours after reports confirmed the discovery of the lifeless body of Hon. Justice Azuka, the lawmaker representing Onitsha North State Constituency, the Anambra State Police Command has paraded nine suspects allegedly involved in his murder.
According to a statement from the outgoing Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Obono Itam, while parading the suspects:
“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.
“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 AVG operatives, was on a mission to rescue the abducted Honourable State House of Assembly member when, regrettably, his lifeless body was discovered at the scene. (May his soul rest in perfect peace).”
“Following this development, on the same day, the Command operatives, in a joint operation with the Anambra State Vigilante operatives and acting on intelligence-led information, arrested nine suspects actively involved in this unfortunate incident and recovered two pump-action guns. One of the suspects sustained a gunshot injury in his leg during a gun duel with Police operatives.”
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
Peter Sunday, 20 years, described as the most notorious of them, with a large tattoo inscription reading “No Peace 4 d Government” on his chest
Additionally, the Command operatives successfully apprehended one Chidiebere Nwosu, a kidnap suspect, in Uruagu, Nnewi. Some of his gang members, involved in an attack on police personnel attached to the Rapid Response Squad following a successful arrest on October 3, 2024, were neutralized.
“We have also neutralized more than one hundred (100) notorious criminals and successfully destroyed many criminal camps in Ufuma, Eziowelle, Achalla, Ogbaru, and several other locations in the state.”
The outgoing Commissioner expressed his gratitude to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, for his guidance and support. He also appreciated the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo, CFR, sister agencies, the media, Anambra residents, the State Vigilante operatives, civil society groups, and other organizations for their unwavering support during his nine-month tenure as Commissioner of Police.
