Police Re-Arrest Escaped Kidnap Suspect Linked to Murder of Lawmaker, Justice Azuka
In a development that has rekindled public interest in one of the most tragic political assassinations in Anambra State’s recent history, the State Police Command has announced the re-arrest of Ikemefuna Ossai, a prime suspect in the abduction and brutal murder of the late Hon. Justice Azuka, who represented Onitsha 1 Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly. The news comes months after his initial arrest, subsequent escape from custody, and an intensive nationwide manhunt that spanned across Nigerian states and extended into a neighbouring West African country.
The lawmaker, who was known for his bold legislative interventions and his activism against corruption and insecurity in the state, was abducted by unidentified gunmen on December 24, 2024, while returning from a private function in Inland Town, Onitsha. The incident, which occurred on Christmas Eve, sent shockwaves throughout the state, prompting condemnation from political leaders, civil society groups, and the public. His disappearance sparked a coordinated response from security agencies, but all efforts to locate him alive proved futile.
After over a month of intensive search operations, Hon. Azuka’s decomposed body was discovered under the Second Niger Bridge on February 6, 2025, by a joint security task force. The grim discovery confirmed the worst fears of his family and constituents. Autopsy reports later revealed that the lawmaker had been subjected to inhumane treatment before being killed, with indications of torture and blunt-force trauma. It was a murder that bore all the hallmarks of political assassination and organized crime.
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In the aftermath of his murder, the police launched an expansive investigation. Within two weeks, the Anambra State Police Command announced the arrest of nine suspects connected to the heinous crime. These individuals were believed to be part of a kidnap-for-ransom gang operating in the South-East region, with suspected links to more extensive criminal networks. The arrests were hailed as a breakthrough and brought a measure of relief to the grieving family and the political establishment.
However, the relief was short-lived. In a shocking twist, two of the key suspects, including Ikemefuna Ossai, managed to escape from police custody under suspicious circumstances. The news of their escape generated an outcry, prompting calls for the resignation of senior police officials in the state. The public demanded answers about how high-risk suspects managed to slip through the cracks in the security system. The police remained tight-lipped, citing the need not to compromise ongoing investigations, but internal sources suggested that negligence, poor supervision, and possible collusion may have played a role.
Faced with increasing public pressure and criticism from the late lawmaker’s colleagues in the House of Assembly, the police had no choice but to intensify efforts to rearrest the fugitives. Months of surveillance, intelligence-gathering, and covert operations followed, with inter-agency collaboration and support from regional security outfits.
On May 13, 2025, the Anambra State Police Command broke the silence. In a statement released by the command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the police confirmed the successful re-arrest of Ikemefuna Ossai. The operation, described as “painstaking and intelligence-led,” culminated in the suspect’s capture on May 7 in Asaba, Delta State.
According to Ikenga, the suspect had attempted to evade capture and flee again when confronted by the operatives. However, he was subdued during the confrontation and sustained a gunshot wound to the leg in the process. He was subsequently taken into custody and provided medical attention under strict security surveillance. His re-arrest marks a critical moment in the effort to bring closure to the late lawmaker’s murder.
Sources within the command revealed that actionable intelligence obtained from the suspect is already proving valuable, helping law enforcement to map out the operational structure of the gang responsible for the crime. Preliminary interrogation has reportedly yielded leads pointing to the existence of a larger syndicate involved in politically motivated abductions and assassinations.
The arrest also brought an opportunity for the police to re-engage with the stakeholders affected by the case. SP Ikenga confirmed that the Commissioner of Police held a closed-door meeting with members of the late Hon. Azuka’s family, the Speaker of the Anambra State House of Assembly, and other prominent figures. During the meeting, the police chief acknowledged the lapses that led to the suspect’s escape and assured the stakeholders that measures had been implemented to prevent a recurrence.
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The family of the late lawmaker, while appreciative of the re-arrest, expressed mixed feelings. Speaking on condition of anonymity, one of Hon. Azuka’s younger brothers said: “It’s a painful reminder that if things had been done properly the first time, this man would never have escaped. We’re grateful he has been caught again, but it shows how broken the system is. We want justice, and we want it fast.”
Members of the Anambra State House of Assembly have also spoken out. The Speaker, Rt. Hon. Uchenna Ezeobi, said the re-arrest is a positive step, but urged the judiciary and law enforcement to expedite the trial. “The late Hon. Justice Azuka was not just a lawmaker. He was our brother, our friend, and a tireless voice for the oppressed. His death is a stain on the conscience of this state, and justice must not be delayed.”
Civil society organizations have welcomed the arrest as well, but called for an independent inquiry into how the suspect managed to escape from custody in the first place. “While we commend the police for this breakthrough, we cannot overlook the structural and ethical issues that allowed this escape. We demand full transparency and accountability,” said Ngozi Maduekwe, a spokesperson for the South-East Justice Initiative.
Security experts also weighed in on the broader implications of the case. Dr. Samuel Obiorah, a criminologist at Nnamdi Azikiwe University, noted that the case highlights a disturbing trend in Nigeria’s security architecture. “This incident underscores systemic failures — from poor record-keeping to weak oversight. When suspects involved in such high-profile cases can escape custody, it raises legitimate questions about internal sabotage and corruption,” he said.
The re-arrest is expected to reinvigorate the legal proceedings surrounding the murder case. Prosecutors are reportedly preparing amended charges that reflect the suspect’s escape, recapture, and new intelligence. The Office of the Director of Public Prosecutions (DPP) is said to be working closely with the police to ensure airtight evidence presentation in court.
Meanwhile, the Anambra State Government has reiterated its commitment to supporting the judicial process. In a statement signed by the Commissioner for Justice and Attorney-General, Mrs. Nnenna Okoye, the state vowed to monitor the case closely and ensure that justice is not only done, but seen to be done. “This administration has zero tolerance for impunity, and we will not rest until every person responsible for this heinous crime is brought to book,” the statement read.
Local communities in Onitsha, where the late lawmaker had lived and served, held a vigil following the news of the re-arrest. Residents gathered in candle-lit processions, chanting prayers and songs, and holding placards that read, “Justice for Hon. Azuka,” “We will not forget,” and “No more political killings.” The mood was a mix of grief, cautious optimism, and lingering anger over the handling of the case.
It is also noteworthy that Hon. Azuka’s death has had a chilling effect on the political atmosphere in Anambra. Several lawmakers have since reported threats and stepped up their personal security. The House of Assembly has passed a resolution calling for improved security measures for public officeholders, particularly in volatile constituencies and crime-prone areas.
While the re-arrest of Ikemefuna Ossai is undeniably a major success for the Anambra State Police Command, it also opens a new chapter in the protracted journey toward justice. The road ahead is expected to be complex, as prosecutors must now ensure the integrity of their case amid heightened scrutiny. Questions around the escape and the potential involvement of insiders in the police force remain unresolved, casting a long shadow over the case.
For the Azuka family, the journey toward closure continues. As the legal process unfolds, they remain committed to keeping the memory of their son, brother, and husband alive. “He was a good man, a courageous man. He didn’t deserve this end. We pray that his death is not in vain, and that it will finally lead to real change,” said Mrs. Amaka Azuka, the widow of the late lawmaker, during a recent media interview.
As the Anambra State Police Command continues its efforts to track down the remaining fugitive, public attention is once again focused on the promise of justice, accountability, and reform. The case of Hon. Justice Azuka is no longer just about a single crime. It has become a symbol of the wider fight against impunity, insecurity, and the failures of a justice system in need of urgent overhaul.
Only time will tell if the re-arrest of Ikemefuna Ossai will mark the beginning of a decisive shift or just another fleeting headline in Nigeria’s long catalogue of unresolved political murders.
