Police Recover Vehicle of Kidnapped Anambra Lawmaker, Search Continues
Lawmaker still missing
The Anambra State Police Command has successfully recovered the vehicle belonging to Hon. Justice Azuka, a member of the State House of Assembly, who was abducted on Christmas Eve.
Azuka was kidnapped around 9:20 pm on Tuesday, December 24, in the Ugwunakpamkpa area of Inland Town, Onitsha, while returning home for the Christmas holiday. His captors, a group of unidentified assailants, took him while he was in his vehicle.
In a statement issued Thursday, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed that the lawmaker’s vehicle, which he was driving at the time of the kidnapping, had been recovered by a police team. The vehicle was found in the Upper Iweka area of Onitsha, a bustling part of the state’s commercial hub. However, Ikenga added that Hon. Azuka remains missing.
As the search continues, concerns are growing over the lawmaker’s safety, as no demands have been made by the kidnappers for ransom. Neither his family members nor friends have been contacted by the abductors.
The police have assured the public that efforts are underway to locate and rescue Azuka, with special teams dedicated to capturing the criminals behind the abduction.
In response to the incident, Mr. John Chuma Nwosu, an aspirant from the Labour Party (LP) in the 2025 Anambra State governorship election, criticized the state’s leadership under Governor Chukwuma Soludo. Nwosu accused the governor of neglecting the state’s security needs. He stated, “The ongoing violence, frequent killings, and kidnappings reflect the failure of Governor Soludo’s administration to uphold its primary duty of safeguarding Anambra’s citizens.”
Nwosu further noted, “Everyone, from visitors to locals, has recognized that insecurity is the main issue facing Anambra State. Reports show a sharp decline in the number of people returning to the state for the 2024 Christmas and the 2025 New Year celebrations.”
Governor Soludo had recently announced plans to address security challenges, stating that his administration would be distributing 163 security vehicles to law enforcement agencies starting in January 2025. Additionally, a new security operation, named Udo Ga Achi (“Peace Shall Reign”), is set to be launched to combat crime and restore safety across the state.
