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 along Ugwunapampa Road, Inland Town, Onitsha, a bustling commercial area in the state.
Hon. Azuka, a chieftain of the Labour Party, regained his seat in the Assembly after a court verdict nullified the election of the Peoples Democratic Party’s Douglas Egbuna.
Eyewitness reports indicate that Azuka was returning home at approximately 9:20 pm when he was forcefully taken to an unknown destination by the abductors. Since the incident, the kidnappers have not reached out to his family, leaving his whereabouts shrouded in uncertainty.
A close associate, who preferred to remain anonymous, expressed deep concern about the lawmaker’s safety. Residents of the area have also expressed shock and called for heightened security measures in the state.
The Anambra State Police Command has confirmed the abduction and assured the public that efforts are in full swing to rescue the lawmaker. Speaking on Wednesday, the command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said, “The Anambra Police Command has activated operational plans for the possible rescue and arrest of the kidnappers of Mr. Justice Azuka.”
Ikenga further stated that the police were working on critical leads and would provide updates as the situation unfolds.
This is not the first time a lawmaker has been targeted in the state. In 2022, Mr. Okechukwu Okoye, representing Aguata Constituency 1, was kidnapped and gruesomely murdered by unknown assailants. His remains were later discovered in a community within the state.
The abduction of Hon. Azuka has reignited concerns about the safety of public officials and the broader security challenges facing Anambra State.
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