The Anambra State Police Command has admitted full responsibility for the escape of two key suspects linked to the brutal murder of a lawmaker, Justice Azuka, who represented Onitsha North 1 Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly.
Azuka was abducted on December 24, 2024, and his lifeless body was discovered on the Second Niger Bridge on February 6, 2025.
He has since been buried.
In the aftermath of the tragic incident, security operatives arrested 11 suspects in connection with the crime. However, in a dramatic twist, two of the suspects escaped on February 8 while leading police operatives to apprehend another principal suspect in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area.
The suspects’ whereabouts remain unknown, sparking outrage among state officials, lawmakers, and concerned stakeholders.
Reacting to the development, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, in a statement on Thursday, accepted full responsibility for the operational lapse, assuring that the command was intensifying efforts to recapture the fleeing suspects and bring all those involved to justice.
“The Anambra State Police Command takes full responsibility for the operational lapses that led to the escape of the two suspects involved in the gruesome murder of Honourable Justice Azuka.
“The command remains resolute and will not rest until the fleeing suspects are re-arrested and every individual linked to this crime is made to face the full wrath of the law,” Ikenga stated.
He further assured that the command had ramped up security measures to forestall a recurrence and emphasized its commitment to keeping the public informed about developments in the case.
“In line with the spirit of transparency, the command has briefed Ndi Anambra and the general public, reaffirming our commitment to ensuring public safety and providing timely updates on the security situation in the state,” he added.
Ikenga also urged stakeholders and members of the public to exercise caution in their reactions to the incident, warning against inflammatory comments that could escalate tensions.
“While acknowledging the right of individuals and groups to free speech, we appeal to relevant stakeholders to exercise restraint in their reactions to prevent any form of incitement. Our focus remains on an impartial investigation that upholds the principles of justice,” he concluded.
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