The Anambra State Police Command has announced the arrest of nine individuals suspected of being involved in the murder of Hon. Justice Azuka, a representative of Onitsha North Constituency 1 in the Anambra State House of Assembly.
Azuka was kidnapped on December 24, 2024, in Onitsha. However, on February 6, 2025, a joint security team, including police officers and members of the Anambra Vigilante Group (AVG), discovered his decomposed body near the 2nd Niger Bridge.
During a press briefing at the command headquarters in Awka, Commissioner of Police Nnaghe Obono Itam confirmed the arrests. He stated that intelligence-led investigations led to the apprehension of nine suspects connected to the crime. Security operatives also recovered two pump-action guns.
“One of the suspects sustained a gunshot wound to the leg during a confrontation with police operatives,” Itam revealed.
The arrested individuals were identified as Ugochukwu Onuorah (30), Ikemefuna Ossai (20), Ikenna Orugu (27), Chibuike Obiefuna (19), Chinonso Olisa (19), Chinedu Okoli (21), David Ojini (25), and Peter Sunday (20). Authorities noted that Sunday had a large tattoo on his chest that read, “No Peace 4 the Government.”
Additionally, the commissioner reported the arrest of Chidiebere Nwosu, a suspected kidnapper, in the Uruagu, Nnewi area. Several of Nwosu’s associates, who were allegedly responsible for attacking Rapid Response Squad officers on October 3, 2024, were neutralized.
Itam further stated that law enforcement had eliminated over 100 criminals and dismantled multiple criminal hideouts in locations such as Ufuma, Eziowelle, Achalla, and Ogbaru.