- Honourable Justice Azuka’s decomposing body was discovered near 2nd Niger Bridge
- The Anambra lawmaker was kidnapped by gunmen on December 24, 2024
- Azuka had regained his seat after a court ruling overturned his 2023 election result
A combined security team has discovered the decomposing body of Honourable Justice Azuka, a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, near the 2nd Niger Bridge.
Azuka, who represented the Onitsha I North constituency, had been missing since he was kidnapped by gunmen on December 24, 2024.
Lawmaker Azuka abducted in Onitsha
The lawmaker, a chieftain of the Labour Party (LP), was abducted while returning home on Ugwunaobankpa Road in Inland Town, Onitsha. His abduction occurred in a swift operation that lasted less than five minutes according to reports.
Azuka had regained his mandate after a court ruling overturned the election victory of Hon. Douglas Egbuna from the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), who had initially been declared the winner of the 2023 election.
Efforts to reach SP Tochukwu Ikenga, the spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, were unsuccessful. Although he asked the reporter to send a message with questions, no response had been received by the time of this report's publication.
“We have arrested the culprits that kidnapped and killed him. They were arrested very late last (Wednesday) night and they now went and showed the security men where they dumped the corpse,” a security source told SaharaReporters.
“It is sad and tragic. What a huge loss. May his gentle soul rest in perfect peace. Amen. Our condolences and heartfelt sympathy to his family, traditional ruler of Onitsha, Obi of Onitsha, Dr Alfred Achebe and the entire people of Onitsha North Constituency 1.”
"Two nights ago, on Tuesday, kidnappers had a field day along Awka Road in the centre of Onitsha, firing several gunshots during an attempted abduction," the source added.
Self-kidnapping for Ransom: 5 people who arranged their abduction to make money
Meanwhile, TheRadar earlier reported that as the country battled a surge in abductions, a growing number of people faked their kidnappings to extort ransom from their loved ones.
TheRadar compiled cases of individuals who were involved in self-kidnapping for ransom.