The decomposing body of Justice Azuka, the member representing Onitsha North 1 Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, was discovered near the Second Niger Bridge. This discovery comes approximately 44 days after his abduction on December 24, 2024, along Ugwunaobankpa Road in Inland Town, Onitsha, as he was returning home for Christmas celebrations.

The Abduction

On that fateful evening, Justice Azuka was reportedly accosted by armed assailants in a swift operation that lasted less than five minutes. Eyewitnesses recounted that the lawmaker was taken at gunpoint, with the kidnappers executing their plan with alarming precision and speed. The incident occurred in a part of Onitsha that has been relatively peaceful, making the abduction even more shocking to the local community.

Discovery of the Body

The Anambra State Police Command’s spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the grim discovery. He stated that a joint security team, comprising police officers and members of the Anambra Vigilante Group (AVG), found the lawmaker’s lifeless body during a routine patrol near the Second Niger Bridge. Ikenga noted, “In the early hours of today, 6/2/2025, at the Second Niger Bridge, the Joint Security Team comprising police and AVG operatives on a mission to rescue abducted Hon. Azuka, Honourable State House of Assembly member representing Onitsha North, regrettably found his lifeless body at the scene.” He added that operations are ongoing to apprehend the suspects involved in this heinous act.

Political Background

Justice Azuka was a prominent chieftain of the Labour Party. He had recently reclaimed his mandate following a court ruling that nullified the victory of Douglas Egbuna of the Peoples Democratic Party, who was initially declared the winner of the 2023 election. His ascent to the legislative seat was seen as a significant victory for the Labour Party in Anambra State, highlighting the dynamic and often contentious nature of local politics.

Reactions and Condemnations

The news of Azuka’s death has sent shockwaves throughout Onitsha and beyond. Residents expressed deep concern over the deteriorating security situation in the state. The Labour Party leadership, in particular, expressed profound grief and outrage. In a statement released in Abuja, the National Publicity Secretary of the Labour Party, Obiora Ifoh, decried the killing, describing it as a deliberate assassination. He criticized Governor Charles Soludo for not doing enough to stem the tide of killings and insecurity in the state. Ifoh stated, “His death and other ones have become a daily occurrence in Anambra, a state that is gradually assuming a Hobbesian status under Prof Charles Soludo.” He further lamented the state’s descent into lawlessness, where life has become “nasty, brutish, and short” due to the government’s inability to enforce law and order.

The Labour Party’s House of Representatives Caucus also expressed deep sadness over the incident. Afam Ogene, the caucus leader and representative of Ogbaru Federal Constituency, described the killing as “horrendous, heart-rending, and a big blow to the Labour Party and the legislature.” He called on Governor Soludo to take urgent and decisive action to address the growing insecurity in the state, emphasizing that the level of carnage in Anambra is turning the state into a “killing field.”

A Recurring Tragedy

This incident marks the second time in less than three years that a serving lawmaker in Anambra State has been abducted and killed. On May 21, 2022, gunmen kidnapped and subsequently beheaded Okechukwu Okoye, a lawmaker representing Aguata 2 Constituency in the state House of Assembly. Okoye was abducted alongside his aide, Cyril Chiegboka, and their bodies were later found in a gruesome state. These recurring attacks on lawmakers underscore the escalating security challenges in the region.

Security Operations and Arrests

Following Azuka’s abduction, security operatives intensified their efforts to locate and rescue him. Reports indicate that after weeks of investigation, operatives from Abuja apprehended several suspects late on Wednesday. These individuals allegedly confessed to the crime and led authorities to the location where they had dumped the lawmaker’s remains. A security operative involved in the operation disclosed, “They confessed that they have killed the man. So today (Thursday), we dragged them to show us where they dumped his body.” The suspects have since been handed over to the State Criminal Investigation Department in Awka for further investigations.

Community and National Response

The broader community has reacted with a mix of grief, anger, and calls for action. Human Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) condemned the killing, asserting that such incidents demonstrate that the government is treating kidnappers leniently. The group argued that the success of these high-profile kidnappings, coupled with the apparent incompetence and inaction of security forces, highlights the lack of functional intelligence gathering and proactive policing in Nigeria. HURIWA called for the National Assembly and state Houses of Assembly to amend relevant laws, classifying kidnapping as a crime against humanity punishable by death.