Killers of Anambra lawmaker escape from police custody

• The police on Tuesday confirmed the escape of the suspects but stated that they they were working to rearrest them.

In Anambra State, two suspected kidnappers and killers of a lawmaker, Justice Azuka, have escaped from police custody, the police in the south-east state have said.

Recall that the lawmaker who represented Onitsha North 1 Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, was kidnapped on Tuesday, December 24, 2024 while he was returning home for the Christmas celebration.

His decomposing body was later found at the 2nd Niger Bridge by a combined security team earlier this month.

The remains of the late Azuka were interred over the weekend in his hometown, Onitsha. However, information filters through that two of his suspected killers had escaped from the police custody, albeit unconfirmed.

The police on Tuesday confirmed the escape of the suspects but stated that they they were working to rearrest them.

The confirmation of the fugitive escape was contained in a press statement issued by the spokesperson of the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga.

According to him, the operatives involved in the case would face sanctions.

His statement read: “The Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, upon receiving the report today, 18th February 2025, regarding the escape of the two suspects involved in the murder of the late Hon. Justice Azuka, Member Representing Onitsha 1 Constituency in the State House of Assembly, has deployed human, operational, and intelligence assets of the command to ensure their re-arrest. He has also ordered immediate disciplinary action against any officers found culpable in the matter.

“Preliminary findings reveal that, following the confession of the criminal gang, two of the suspects were assisting police investigators in an operation to apprehend the receiver and recover the operational vehicles used by the gang in their deadly activities. During the operation, the receiver was arrested, and two vehicles suspected to have been snatched from unsuspecting members of the public were recovered. However, the other two suspects managed to escape.

“The Commissioner of Police has assured the public that the command remains resolute in its fight against criminal elements in the state. Efforts are in top gear to ensure that the suspects are re-arrested and brought to justice. Any officers found to have been negligent will also face disciplinary action.