Justice Azuka, Anambra lawmaker, was abducted on Christmas Eve while returning home. Police launch rescue efforts as insecurity casts a shadow over festivities in the state.
Onitsha, Anambra State, December 25, 2024 – Tragedy struck on Christmas Eve as gunmen abducted Justice Azuka, a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly representing Onitsha North Constituency. The incident occurred on Tuesday night, along the Ugwunapampa Road in Onitsha, as the lawmaker was returning home to celebrate the festive season.
Azuka, a member of the Labour Party (LP), had recently made headlines when the Appeal Court affirmed his election victory in November 2023. This ruling overturned the earlier declaration of a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) candidate as the winner of the poll.
Confirming the incident, Anambra State Police Command spokesperson Ikenga Tochukwu stated that the police have activated operational plans to ensure the lawmaker’s rescue.
“The report of the incident indicates that on December 24, 2024, at about 9:20 pm, while returning home along Ugwunapampa Road, he was abducted by unidentified persons,” Tochukwu said.
He added, “The command is working on leads to ensure his rescue and the arrest of those responsible. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.”
The abduction of Justice Azuka adds to the growing list of attacks on public officials in Anambra State. In May 2022, Okechukwu Okoye, a lawmaker representing Aguata II Constituency, was killed after being abducted by gunmen, highlighting the precarious security situation in the region.
The timing of this abduction, on the eve of Christmas, has cast a shadow over festivities in the state. Community leaders and stakeholders have called on security agencies to intensify efforts to safeguard lives and properties, particularly during the holiday season.
Meanwhile, the Labour Party has condemned the abduction, calling for Azuka’s immediate and unconditional release, while urging the government to address the escalating insecurity in the state.
The fate of Justice Azuka remains uncertain as the police intensify their search for the perpetrators.
