Anambra Police Recover Kidnapped Lawmaker’s Car, Intensify Rescue Efforts

Kehinde Fajobi

The Anambra State Police Command has retrieved the car belonging to Justice Azuka, a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly representing Onitsha North Constituency.

Azuka was abducted on Tuesday night by unidentified gunmen.

The lawmaker was reportedly taken along Ugwunapampa Road in Inland Town, Onitsha, as he returned home for the Christmas holidays.

In a statement released on Thursday, the police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed that officers from the Inland Town Division found the abandoned vehicle during an ongoing operation to locate the lawmaker.

However, there has been no contact from the kidnappers, and Azuka’s whereabouts remain uncertain.

Ikenga stated, “Police operatives from the Inland Town Division have recovered the vehicle of Honourable Justice Azuka, who was abducted on December 24, 2024, at approximately 9:20 p.m. while driving home along Ugwunapampa Road, Onitsha, following a robust ongoing rescue mission.

“The car was found abandoned at Upper Iweka Road by the search team.

“The Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Obono Itam, has directed officers to intensify rescue efforts for the safe recovery of the Honourable member. Updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.”

The incident has heightened concerns among Onitsha residents, many of whom have criticised the effectiveness of security checkpoints in the city.

A witness to the abduction, identified only as Somto, recounted, “The attackers followed the lawmaker’s car, blocked it, and took him away while one of them drove off in his vehicle.

“These abductions continue to happen despite the numerous security checkpoints in the area.

“We’re starting to question whether these checkpoints serve any purpose other than extorting and harassing innocent citizens. The authorities need to address this issue.”

The abduction draws parallels with a previous incident in 2022, when Okechukwu Okoye, a lawmaker representing Aguata Constituency 1, was kidnapped and later gruesomely murdered.

His severed head was later discovered in a community, underscoring the rising insecurity in the state.

Residents and community leaders are urging the government and security agencies to step up efforts to secure Azuka’s release and implement measures to prevent future occurrences of such crimes.