The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the rearrest of a suspect connected to the abduction and killing of late lawmaker, Mr. Justice Azuka, who represented Onitsha 1 Constituency in the State House of Assembly.
The command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, made the confirmation in a statement issued on Tuesday in Onitsha.
Azuka was abducted by armed men on December 24, 2024, along Ugwunapampa Road in Inland Town, Onitsha, while returning home.
His remains were later discovered on February 6, 2025, on the Second Niger Bridge.
The suspect, along with ten others, had initially been arrested in connection with the lawmaker’s murder.
However, he escaped from custody while assisting operatives from the Rapid Response Squad in their investigation.
During the operation, they were attempting to locate one Tochukwu Akolisa, who had been identified as a buyer of stolen vehicles and belongings taken from the group’s victims.
According to Ikenga, the suspect’s rearrest followed an extensive and intelligence-driven manhunt that spanned several states and even reached into a neighboring West African country.
He was finally apprehended on May 7 in Asaba, Delta State.
“Upon confrontation with operatives, the suspect tried to flee once more but was overpowered. He sustained a gunshot wound to the leg during the arrest,” Ikenga disclosed.
He added that the command had notified relevant authorities, including the family of the deceased lawmaker and the Anambra State House of Assembly, as part of its commitment to accountability and transparency.
The state’s Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, has acknowledged the earlier lapses that led to the escape and assured that the suspect is now aiding further investigations with valuable information.
Efforts are ongoing to apprehend the remaining fugitives and dismantle the criminal network behind the killing.
The police reiterated their commitment to justice and the protection of lives and property in Anambra State.