The Anambra State Police Command is currently investigating some of its personnel following the mysterious disappearance of two key suspects arrested in connection with the murder of Hon. Justice Azuka, a lawmaker representing Onitsha 1 Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly.

Azuka was kidnapped on December 24, 2024, and his lifeless body was discovered on the Second Niger Bridge on February 6, 2025. The police had arrested nine suspects linked to the crime, but in a shocking turn of events, two of the detained suspects escaped while assisting law enforcement in an operation.

How the Suspects Escape

According to SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, the escape occurred in Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area, while police operatives from Awkuzu Command were conducting a follow-up operation to arrest a key accomplice—the receiver of stolen vehicles used in the crime.

“Although the receiver of the vehicles was arrested and two vehicles were recovered, the two suspects fled the scene,” Ikenga stated in an official press release on Tuesday.

He added that Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, had ordered an immediate manhunt for the fleeing suspects and launched an internal review of the circumstances leading to their escape.

Speaking further on the matter, Ikenga confirmed that the incident happened on February 8, 2025, and that all officers involved in the operation are currently undergoing debriefing at the State Police Command Headquarters.

Although the suspects were handcuffed, the swampy terrain of the escape location may have aided their movement, making it easier for them to flee.

Internal Disciplinary Actions Underway

The Anambra State Police Command has assured the public that it is conducting a thorough investigation to determine if negligence or foul play contributed to the suspects’ escape.

Ikenga reiterated that disciplinary actions are already in motion and that any officer found culpable will face severe consequences.

“The CP has assured that anyone found responsible for any form of negligence will not go unpunished. While the investigation continues, our primary focus is on recapturing the fleeing suspects and ensuring that justice is served,” he said.

Why the Suspects Have Not Been Declared Wanted Yet

Despite public concerns, the police have not yet officially declared the escaped suspects wanted. Ikenga explained that declaring a suspect wanted is a legal process that requires certain investigative steps to be completed.

“We must exhaust all investigative options first before formally declaring them wanted. However, we are already working on obtaining a court order that will allow us to officially list them as wanted persons,” he stated.

More Details on the Arrested Suspects

According to the police, the nine suspects initially arrested in connection with the murder provided valuable information during interrogation.

Two of the suspects played a central role in the crime, leading operatives to a location in Obosi where they claimed to have met their sponsor and the receiver of stolen items. The goal of the follow-up operation was to apprehend this financier and dismantle their criminal network.

Unfortunately, the two suspects managed to escape during the operation, but the police were able to arrest the criminal gang’s sponsor and recover two operational vehicles used in the abduction and murder of the lawmaker:

• A black Lexus 350 SUV
• A black Toyota RAV4

Ikenga revealed that the arrested financier, whose identity will be made public soon, was the main sponsor of the gang, supplying logistics, vehicles, and operational tools to the criminals.

Anambra Assembly Speaker Demands Immediate Re-Arrest

The Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Somtochukwu Udeze, has strongly condemned the escape of the two suspects, describing it as unacceptable and disappointing.

In a statement issued on Wednesday, Udeze called on the police to re-arrest the fugitives at all costs and take swift action to prevent further embarrassment in the case.

“The attention of the Anambra State House of Assembly has been drawn to a press release by the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, announcing that two of the arrested suspects in the murder of the late Hon. Justice Azuka have escaped during an operation to recover stolen vehicles and arrest the receiver.

“The state legislature deeply regrets this unfortunate development, which casts a shadow over the otherwise commendable and professional manner in which the police have handled the investigation so far. The position of the House is clear:

The fleeing suspects must be tracked and apprehended at all costs.

“I, therefore, call on the state Commissioner of Police to redouble his efforts and take all necessary measures to ensure that the escaped suspects are recaptured and brought to justice.

“The Anambra State Police Command must immediately declare them wanted, publish their full names, photographs, and known addresses to enlist public support in locating them.”

Public Concerns Over Security Lapses

The escape of key murder suspects in such a high-profile case has raised serious concerns about security lapses within the Anambra Police Command. Many residents fear that if the suspects are not re-arrested swiftly, they could continue to pose a danger to society or even attempt to evade justice permanently.

Legal and security experts have also weighed in, stressing that standard procedures should have been followed to prevent such an incident. Some have called for an independent review of the case to ensure accountability and prevent similar occurrences in the future.

Next Steps in the Investigation

With the police intensifying efforts to track the escaped suspects, the focus remains on ensuring that justice is served.

• The investigation into police officers involved in the escape continues, with potential disciplinary actions expected.
• Authorities are working towards obtaining a court order to declare the suspects wanted.
• The arrested financier of the gang will soon be publicly identified and charged.
• The two recovered vehicles will undergo forensic analysis to aid in further investigations.

As the Anambra Police Command faces mounting pressure from both the government and the public, the next few days will be crucial in determining whether the escaped suspects are successfully recaptured and brought to justice.