Anambra Police Rearrest Fugitive Linked to Kidnap and Murder of Lawmaker Hon. Justice Azuka
In connection with the murder of the representative for Onitsha North 1 Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon. Justice Azuka, law enforcement authorities initially arrested nine individuals believed to be part of a criminal syndicate operating in the region.
Recall that on December 24, 2024, Christmas eve, Justice Azuka, was abducted by gunmen along Ugwunapampa Road in Onitsha, Anambra State. The dead body of Azuka was discovered by security personnel close to the Second Niger Bridge.
However, in a troubling twist, two of the arrested suspects, including Ikemefuna Ossai, managed to escape from police custody shortly after their arrest, raising questions about internal security lapses and the adequacy of operational procedures within the police force. The incident prompted both public outrage and demands for accountability, as citizens feared the possibility of justice being denied in such a sensitive and high-profile case.
In a press statement released on May 13, 2025, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, Superintendent Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the re-arrest of Ikemefuna Ossai.
According to Ikenga, the fugitive was tracked through a complex, intelligence-driven operation that spanned multiple states in Nigeria and extended into a neighboring West African country, underscoring the cross-border dimension of the manhunt and the level of coordination involved.
SP Ikenga described the operation as “painstaking and intelligence-led,” revealing that the suspect had attempted to evade capture by frequently changing locations and identities. Despite these efforts, security operatives were able to close in on his location, leading to his eventual apprehension and return to Anambra State to face justice.
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Anambra Lawmaker’s Death: 2 Suspects Escape from Custody
The police spokesperson further disclosed that actionable intelligence obtained during the interrogation of the suspect has already proven valuable and is aiding the ongoing investigation, particularly in efforts to locate and apprehend the second escaped suspect and to further dismantle the criminal network responsible for the lawmaker’s death.
Reaffirming the Command’s commitment to transparency and accountability, SP Ikenga noted that the Anambra State Police Command has formally briefed all relevant stakeholders about the latest developments. These include the family of the late Hon. Azuka, leadership of the Anambra State House of Assembly, and other key figures within the state’s political and security framework.
During the briefing, the Commissioner of Police expressed deep regret over the operational shortcomings that enabled the initial escape of the suspect from custody. He assured the public that necessary disciplinary and procedural reforms are being undertaken to prevent a recurrence of such incidents in the future.
Furthermore, the Commissioner emphasized that the Command remains resolute in its pursuit of justice for the slain lawmaker. Efforts have been redoubled to locate and rearrest the remaining fugitive, as well as to dismantle the wider criminal syndicate that orchestrated this heinous crime.
The Anambra State Police Command reiterated its appeal to the public to remain vigilant and to provide any relevant information that could assist in the ongoing investigation. Members of the public are encouraged to report suspicious activities, with the assurance that all information will be treated with the utmost confidentiality.
This latest development has been welcomed by residents of Onitsha and the wider Anambra community as a step forward in ensuring justice is served and restoring public confidence in the state’s security institutions.