By: Bayero Ade
Unidentified assailants have abducted Justice Azuka, the member representing Onitsha North Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly.
The incident occurred on Tuesday night as the lawmaker was returning home via Ugwunapampa Road in Inland Town, Onitsha, a major commercial hub in the state. Azuka, a chieftain of the Labour Party, had recently regained his seat after a court nullified the victory of Douglas Egbuna of the Peoples Democratic Party in the 2023 election.
According to sources, Azuka was forcibly taken to an unknown location, and his whereabouts remain uncertain. A close associate, speaking anonymously, disclosed that the kidnappers have not yet contacted his family, heightening fears about his safety.
The spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the abduction and assured the public that efforts are ongoing to rescue the lawmaker and apprehend the culprits.
Ikenga stated, “The Anambra Police Command has activated operational plans for the possible rescue of Honourable Justice Azuka and the arrest of his abductors. Preliminary reports indicate that the incident occurred on December 24, 2024, at approximately 9:20 PM while he was returning home. We are following some leads, and further updates will be provided as investigations progress.”
The abduction has sent shockwaves through the state, with residents expressing concern over the rising insecurity. Calls for urgent action to address the worsening security situation have intensified.
This incident is reminiscent of the 2022 abduction of Okechukwu Okoye, the lawmaker representing Aguata Constituency 1, who was later gruesomely murdered. Okoye, an indigene of Isuofia and a close ally of Governor Chukwuma Soludo, was beheaded, with his remains discovered in a community within the state.
The latest abduction underscores the urgent need for heightened security measures in Anambra State, as fears grow over the safety of public officials and citizens alike.
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