Police rearrest fleeing suspected killer of Anambra lawmaker

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Late Hon. Justice Azuka, Anambra House member Abducted & murdered

By Madu Obi

The Anambra State Police command has re-arrest a kidnap suspect linked to the death of a lawmaker in Anambra State, Hon Justice Azuka, who represented Onitsha South 1 state constituency.

Azuka was, on Christmas eve last year, abducted, and his decomposing body was found two months later around the Second Nigeria Bridge in Onitsha.

Although some of the suspects were also arrested, two of them allegedly escaped after they were led to the home of another suspect.

The incident caused an uproar in the state, with many people blaming the police of suspected complicity over the escape of the suspect.

However, the state command has announced the re-arrest of one of the fleeing suspects.

The state Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, SP Tochukwu Ikenga said the suspect, Ikemefuna Ossai was re-arrested after painstaking investigation and undercover job.

He said: "The Anambra State Police command wishes to inform the public that its operatives have successfully re-arrested one Ikemefuna Ossai, a suspect in the kidnapping and gruesome murder of the late Hon. Justice Azuka.

"This re-arrest followed a painstaking and intelligence-led operation. The suspect, who had previously escaped custody, was tracked across multiple states within Nigeria and even into a neighbouring West African country.

He was eventually apprehended on 7th May 2025 in Asaba, Delta State. Upon sighting the operatives, the suspect attempted to escape arrest, but was swiftly subdued and sustained a gunshot wound to the leg in the process."

He said the command has briefed relevant stakeholders, including the family of the late lawmaker and the leadership of the Anambra State House of Assembly. ,

"During the engagement, the Commissioner of Police acknowledged and expressed regret over the operational lapses that led to the suspect's earlier escape.

Actionable intelligence obtained from the suspect is currently aiding ongoing operations. The command has intensified efforts to apprehend the remaining fugitive and dismantle the criminal network responsible for this heinous crime.

The Anambra State Police Command reiterates its unwavering resolve to bring all perpetrators to justice and ensure the safety and security of Ndi Anambra," Ikenga said.