The Anambra State Police Command has arrested nine individuals connected to the kidnapping and brutal murder of Hon. Justice Azuka, the representative of Onitsha North 1 Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly.
Azuka was abducted at gunpoint on December 24, 2024, along Ugwunaobankpa Road in Inland Town, Onitsha, as he was returning home for Christmas. His lifeless body was discovered by security operatives near the Second Niger Bridge on February 6, 2025.
On February 7, 2025, the State Commissioner of Police, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, paraded the suspects at the police headquarters in Awka. During the briefing, CP Itam revealed that the most notorious member of the gang, 20-year-old Peter Sunday, had a prominent tattoo on his chest reading “No peace 4 d Government.”
“Many of you are aware of the horrific murder of Hon. Justice Azuka, the Honourable member of the State House of Assembly for Onitsha North 1. He was abducted on December 24, 2024, in Onitsha,” CP Itam stated. “This grave incident drove the Command to intensify intelligence gathering and conduct a thorough investigation.”
He continued, “In the early hours of February 6, 2025, a joint security team consisting of the Police and AVG Operatives, who were on a mission to rescue the abducted Honourable member, discovered his body near the Second Niger Bridge. May his soul rest in peace.”
Later that day, acting on intelligence, the Command operatives, in collaboration with the Anambra State Vigilante Operatives, arrested nine suspects involved in the kidnapping. They also recovered two pump-action guns. One suspect was injured during a gunfight with police.
The arrested suspects include Ugochukwu Onuorah (30), Ikemefuna Ossai (20), Ikenna Orugu (27), Chibuike Obiefuna (19), Chinonso Olisa (19), Chinedu Okoli (21), David Ojini (25), and the notorious Peter Sunday (20), who bears the tattoo “No peace 4 d Government.”
In addition, the operatives arrested Chidiebere Nwosu, a kidnap suspect from Uruagu, Nnewi, and neutralized several of his gang members who had attacked Police personnel from the Rapid Response Squad during an operation on October 3, 2024.
CP Itam further highlighted that over 100 notorious criminals have been neutralized, and numerous criminal camps have been dismantled in Ufuma, Eziowelle, Achalla, Ogbaru, and other areas of the State.
“I extend my gratitude to the Inspector-General of Police, IGP Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, Ph.D., NPM, for his support and guidance, as well as to the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Prof. Chukwuma Charles Soludo CFR, sister agencies, the media, the residents of the State, Anambra State Vigilante operatives, Civil Society groups, and others for their unwavering support during my nine months in Anambra. Please be assured that the trust placed in the Police and security agencies for the protection of lives and property is deeply valued.”
