A joint security operation in Anambra and Delta states has led to the arrest of nine suspects linked to the kidnapping and murder of Hon. Justice Azuka, the lawmaker representing Onitsha North 1 Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly. Azuka was abducted on December 24, 2024, in Onitsha and later killed by his captors.
The suspects were apprehended through a coordinated effort involving the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Awkuzu, the newly established security outfits Agunaechemba and Udo Ga Achi, and the Special Anti-Touting Squad of Anambra State (SASA).
According to a statement issued by the security operatives, those arrested include Kelvin Ikechukwu Ossai (aka Ikem, 16) from Delta State, who resides in Ogbaru LGA of Anambra; Ekene from Ebonyi State, identified as the gunman who shot Azuka twice in the leg; and others such as Prince (aka Tukwasi) from Abia State, Uzo from Imo State, and Ugoo (aka Ojiekpere).
The statement further disclosed that most of the suspects were arrested in Asaba, Delta State, while two were captured at the Bridgehead after an intense gun battle.
Law enforcement also recovered operational weapons, including two pump-action rifles buried within the premises of Osa Dennis Secondary School in Asaba.
One of the principal suspects, Ikem, confessed that the gang had not specifically targeted Azuka but kidnapped him after he unknowingly ran into them during one of their operations.
A spokesperson for the joint security team, who chose to remain anonymous, revealed that the criminal group had been operating freely in Anambra, with over 200 kidnappings recorded in the past year.
The proceeds from their activities were used to fund an extravagant lifestyle in Asaba, where they lived unchallenged.
“The gang members used stolen cars and cash to sustain their luxurious way of life. They were brutal in their operations and operated without resistance for a long time,” the security source stated.
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend other fleeing gang members, including individuals identified as Ugoo Kewe and Nonso.
The killing of Hon. Azuka has sparked widespread condemnation.
The Civil Liberties Organization (CLO) in Anambra described the incident as “barbaric and inhumane.”
In a statement issued in Onitsha, CLO Chairman Comrade Vincent Ezekwueme called for justice, emphasizing the sanctity of human life.
“We condemn this act of impunity in the strongest terms. The sacredness and dignity of human life must be respected at all costs. We pray for the repose of Hon. Azuka’s soul and extend our condolences to his family, the Anambra State House of Assembly, and his constituents,” Ezekwueme said.
The CLO also commended security operatives for their efforts in recovering Azuka’s remains and arresting the culprits while urging Governor Charles Soludo to strengthen the state’s security framework.
Similarly, the Ndigbo Unity Forum (NUF), through its President, Augustine Chukwudumebi, criticized the governor’s handling of security in Anambra.
“For nearly three years, criminals have overrun the state, and the government has failed to address the situation effectively. We urge Governor Soludo to prioritize security and stop playing politics with people’s lives. Innocent citizens are being kidnapped and killed, leaving families in mourning,” the NUF statement read.
NUF proposed the formation of a high-level security committee led by retired military and security personnel from Anambra, alongside a robust vigilante system involving local government leaders, traditional rulers, and market associations..
