Unidentified individuals have reportedly kidnapped Justice Azuka, the legislator representing Onitsha North Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly. The incident occurred on Tuesday night as he was returning to his residence along Ugwunapampa Road in Inland Town, Onitsha, a key commercial center in the state.
Azuka, a prominent member of the Labour Party, reclaimed his position after a court ruling nullified the election of Douglas Egbuna from the Peoples Democratic Party, who had initially been declared the winner of the 2023 elections. Reports indicate that he was forcefully taken to an undisclosed location by his abductors.
A close confidant, who requested anonymity, revealed that the lawmaker’s location has remained unknown since the abduction, and there has been no communication from the kidnappers to his family.
Although details surrounding the incident remain sketchy, the local community has expressed outrage and called for swift action to address the growing insecurity in the area.
Speaking on Wednesday, the Anambra State Police Command spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the kidnapping and assured the public that efforts are underway to secure the legislator’s release.
Ikenga stated, “The Anambra Police Command has launched operational strategies aimed at rescuing Honourable Justice Azuka, a State House of Assembly representative for Onitsha North Constituency, and apprehending those responsible for the act.
“Preliminary findings indicate that on December 24, 2024, at about 9:20 p.m., he was seized by unknown individuals while on his way home along Ugwunapampa Road. The Command is currently following up on some leads to ensure his safe recovery and the arrest of the perpetrators. Updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.”
This incident echoes a similar case in 2022, when Okechukwu Okoye, the legislator for Aguata Constituency 1, was abducted. Okoye, who hailed from Isuofia—the home community of Governor Chukwuma Soludo—was tragically killed, and his severed head was discovered in another community within the state.
