Anambra State Police Command has arrested nine suspects involved in the kidnap and gruesome murder of the member representing Onitsha North 1 Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Hon Justice Azuka.
Recall that Azuka was kidnapped on December 24, 2024, along Ugwunaobankpa Road in Inland Town, Onitsha, while returning home for Christmas.
His decomposing body was found by security operatives near the Second Niger Bridge on Thursday, February 6, 2025.
The arrest of the suspects was confirmed by the State Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Obono Itam, at a press briefing on Friday, February 7 to parade the suspects.
CP Itam noted that the most notorious member of the gang, 20-year-old Peter Sunday, has a big tattoo with inscription “No peace 4 d Government” on his chest.
“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 24th December 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 6th February 2025 at the second Niger bridge, the Joint Security team comprising of the Police and AVG Operatives on a mission to rescue the abducted Honourable State House of Assembly member representing Onitsha North, Hon Azuka, his lifeless body was regrettably found at the scene. (May his soul rest in perfect peace).
“Given the above on the same day, the Command Operatives in a joint operation with Anambra State Vigilante Operatives acting on intelligent-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 the Police operatives.
“The arrested suspects include: Ugochukwu Onuorah aged 30 years, Ikemefuna Ossai aged 20 years, Ikenna Orugu aged 27 years, Chibuike Obiefuna aged 19 years, Chinonso Olisa aged 19 years, Chinedu Okoli aged 21 years, David Ojini aged 25 years and the most notorious of them, one Peter Sunday aged 20 years with a big tattoo inscription of *No peace 4 d Government* on his chest.
The Command Operatives have also successfully arrested one Chidiebere Nwosu, a kidnap suspect in Uruagu, Nnewi and neutralised some of his gang members that were involved in the attack of Police personnel attached to the Rapid Response Squad after a successful arrest on 3rd October 2024.
“We have also neutralised more than one hundred (100) notorious criminals and successfully destroyed many criminal camps in Ufuma, Eziowelle, Achalla, Ogbaru and many other places in the State.
“I want to extend our gratitude to the Inspector-General of Police, *IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM*, for his guidance and overall support, also appreciate the Executive Governor of Anambra State, *Prof Chukwuma Charles Soludo CFR* sister Agencies, the Media, residents of the State, Anambra State Vigilante operatives, Civil Society Groups, Organizations and many others for their unflinching support within the 9 (nine) months that I spent in the State as the Commissioner of Police in _*the light of the Nation*_ . Please be assured that the confidence reposed on the Police and other security agencies for the protection of lives and properties of residents is not to be taken for granted.”
