THE abductors of Anambra State lawmaker, Justice Azuka, appear to have collected N100 million from his account before killing him, according to one of the suspects arrested in connection with his disappearance.
The Police yesterday confirmed arresting nine persons over the abduction and killing.
Azuka’s decomposing body was found near the Niger Bridge, Onitsha, Anambra State early Thursday, 44 days after his abduction.
Four armed young men had pounced on him at Ugwunabamkpa in Onitsha on Christmas Eve.
One of the suspects seen in a video that has gone viral claims his gang shot Azuka dead on Boxing Day after they had collected N100 million from his account.
The suspect told interrogators that their victim was shot twice in the head.
The Commissioner of Police in the State, Nnaghe Itam in an update on the matter yesterday said nine suspects who were “actively involved” have so far been arrested.
Two of the suspects are teenagers and the oldest among is only 30 years.
Itam listed the suspects as follows: Ugochukwu Onuorah (30 years); Ikemefuna Ossai (20); Ikenna Orugu (27); Chibuike Obiefuna (19); Chinonso Olisa (19);Chinedu Okoli (21);David Ojini ( 25) and Peter Sunday (20) described as the most notorious of them.
His chest is said to be adorned with a tattoo ‘No peace 4 d Government’.
Itam said the operatives from the command assisted with members of the state vigilance group effected the arrest of the suspects.
CP Itam further disclosed that police operatives have also successfully arrested one Chidiebere Nwosu, a kidnap suspect in Uruagu, Nnewi and neutralised some of his gang members who were involved in the attack of Police personnel attached to the Rapid Response Squad after a successful arrest on 3rd October 2024.
“We have also neutralised more than one hundred (100) notorious criminals and successfully destroyed many criminal camps in Ufuma, Eziowelle, Achalla, Ogbaru and many other places in the State.
He expressed gratitude to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, for his guidance and overall support, and also appreciated the governor of Anambra State, Prof Chukwuma Soludo, sister Agencies, the Media, residents of the State, Anambra State Vigilante operatives, Civil Society Groups, Organizations and many others for their unflinching support within the months that he has spent in the State as the Commissioner of Police.
He assured that the confidence reposed on the Police and other security agencies for the protection of the lives and properties of residents is not to be taken for granted.
Governor Charles Soludo regretted the killing of the lawmaker but vowed that government would “liberate Anambra completely from these elements.”
The governor hailed the recent successes of the security architecture under Operation Udo Ga Achi and reaffirmed his administration’s resolve to continue the crackdown until peace is fully restored.
He said “We are on the last lap now. Kidnapping has become lucrative because they believe Anambra people will pay. But we are fighting to finish—we are ready to clear them off.”
Hon Justice Azuka, a member of Labour Party (LP), represented Onitsha North 1 Cconstituency.
He was sworn in as a legislator following a ruling of the State Election Petition Tribunal that proclaimed him winner of the election.
The Independent National Electoral commission (INEC) had initially declared Douglas Egbuna of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) winner.