By Suleiman Anyalewechi
The Anambra state House of Assembly on Wednesday, February 19, 2025, strongly, condemned the announcement, by the Police of the purported escape from custody of two suspects in the gruesome murder of its Member, Hon Justice Azuka.
Hon Azuka, a Labour Party Lawmaker, was abducted by some gun men on December 24, 2024, while heading home for the Christmas and New year festivities.
However, after several weeks his decomposing remains were recovered about three weeks ago at the Second Niger Bridge, Onitsha by Security Operatives who, also, announced the apprehension of all the masterminds of his abduction and subsequent killing.
The late legislator, who represented Onitisha North Constituency I ,at the Anambra state House of Assembly was buried, on February,15, 2025.
But in a very shocking and disappointing development, the Police on Tuesday February ,18, 2025 ,informed that two of the detained suspected assailants of the deceased law maker have escaped.
In a statement issued by its spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga, SP, the state Police Commissioner CP, Ikioye Orutugu, vowed to deploy all available material and human resources to track down, and re-arrest the escaped key suspects.
He also assured of meting out appropriate disciplinary actions against any officers implicated in the escape of the suspects.
“Preliminary information reveals that following a confession from the criminal gang, two suspects were assisting the Police investigation officers in an operation to arrest the receiver and recover the operational vehicles used by the gang in their criminal activities .
“During the operation, the receiver was arrested, and two vehicles suspected to have been stolen from unsuspecting members of the public were recovered.
“Unfortunately, the two suspects fled the scene. Meanwhile, the CP assured that the Command is actively pursuing all criminal elements in the state ,and that efforts are underway to ensure the suspects are re-arrest ed and justice served”, the Police stated.
The Anambra State House of Assembly in a statement issued on Wednesday, by the Speaker,Rt Hon Somtochukwu Nkem Udeze however ,expressed disgust over the purported escape of the key suspects.
The State Lawmakers noted that the development has served to cast a shadow on the otherwise commendable and professional manner in which the police have been handling the investigation.
The is even as they insisted that nothing short of re-arresting the escaped suspects will assuage the legislative body.
Following, the full text of the reaction by Anambra State House of Assembly. It was issued by the Speaker of the House.
“The attention of the Anambra State House of Assembly has been drawn to a press release by the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, announcing that two of the arrested suspects in the murder of late Hon. Justice Azuka of Onitsha One State Constituency escaped during an operation to apprehend the receiver and recover the operational vehicles used in their criminal activities.
“The State House of Assembly deeply regrets this unfortunate development which casts a shadow over the otherwise commendable and professional manner in which the Police have been handling the investigation. The position of the State Legislature is clear: the fleeing suspects must be tracked and apprehended at all costs.
“I, therefore, call on the State Commissioner of Police to redouble his efforts and take all necessary measures to ensure that the escaped suspects are re-arrested and brought to justice. The State Police should immediately declare them wanted and publish their full names, addresses, and photographs to enlist public support in tracking them down.
“Hon. Justice will not die in vain”, the Anambra state House of Assembly’s statement reads
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