Victor EzejaAnambra State Governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, has reiterated the commitment of his administration to get rid of criminals in the state, especially those involved in killings and kidnapping.
The governor stated this while reacting to the recent onslaught of security agents against criminals in the state.
Join our WhatsApp ChannelThe governor launched the Anambra Homeland Security Law and a Special Security Operation, “Udo Ga-Achị,” on Saturday, January 18th, 2025, to tackle insecurity and criminal activities in the state.
Soludo confirmed that six persons involved in the kidnap and killing of a State House of Assembly member representing Onitsha North Constituency I, Hon Justice Azuka, had been arrested, while the native doctor who prepares their charms who lives in Asaba is being traced.
During a press briefing at the state police command headquarters, Awka, on Friday, 7th February 2025, the Commissioner of Police Anambra State, CP Nnaghe Obono Itam, confirmed that a joint security team comprising the Police and Anambra Vigilante Group (Agun’echemba) operatives on a mission to rescue the abducted Hon. Azuka found his dead body dumped at the foot of the Second Niger bridge.
Hon. Azuka was kidnapped in Onitsha on 24 December 2024 while traveling home for the Christmas holiday. Some reports quoted the suspects confessing that they withdrew about N100 million from the victim’s bank account before killing him.
CP Itam disclosed that while acting on intelligent-led information, the police operatives in a joint operation with AVG arrested Nine suspects actively involved in the killing and recovered two pump action guns. According to him, one of the suspects sustained a gunshot injury in his leg during a gun duel with the security agents.
The arrested suspects, according to the CP, include: “Ugochukwu Onuorah aged 30 years, Ikemefuna Ossai aged 20 years, Ikenna Orugu aged 27 years, Chibuike Obiefuna aged 19 years, Chinonso Olisa aged 19 years years, Chinedu Okoli aged 21 years, David Ojini aged 25 years and the most notorious of them, one Peter Sunday aged 20 years with a big tattoo inscription of “No peace 4 d Government on his chest.”
The Anambra police commissioner stated that the police have “neutralised more than 100 notorious criminals and successfully destroyed many criminal camps in Ufuma, Eziowelle, Achalla, Ogbaru and many other places in the State.
“The Command Operatives have also successfully arrested one Chidiebere Nwosu, a kidnap suspect in Uruagu, Nnewi and neutralised some of his gang members that were involved in the attack of Police personnel attached to the Rapid Response Squad after a successful arrest on 3rd October 2024.
Itam said they had neutralised more than 100 notorious criminals and successfully destroyed many criminal camps in Ufuma, Eziowelle, Achalla, Ogbaru and many other places in the State.
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The police commissioner extended gratitude to the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Kayode Adeolu Egbetokun, for his guidance and overall support, also appreciated the Executive Governor of Anambra State, Prof Soludo, sister Agencies, the Media, residents of the State, Anambra State Vigilante operatives, Civil Society Groups, Organisations and many others for their unflinching support.
The killing of the state assembly lawmakers had sparked outrage, leading to a discreet investigation and eventual discovery of his lifeless body and the arrest of the suspects by the joint security team.
Former governor of Anambra State and the Labour Party presidential candidate in the 2023 election, Mr Peter Obi, condemned the gruesome killing of the lawmaker, stating that it reflects the worrisome level of insecurity in the country.
“This heinous act is not just an attack on one individual but a brutal assault on all of us and the sanctity of human life. It is a stark reminder of the urgent need to address the pervasive insecurity that threatens the fabric of our nation,” Obi stated.
He extended condolences to Azuka’s family, the Onitsha community, and constituents that the lawmaker represented and prayed for the peaceful repose of his soul.
Highlighting the efforts of his administration in tackling insecurity, Governor Soludo said when he assumed office in 2022, about eight local government areas were under siege by criminal groups, but today, those places have been liberated.
He said that despite the efforts of his administration, criminal activities still persist in some places and vowed that with the new security operation, they are on the last lap of degrading them.
The governor asserted that the new security system has led to significant success and vowed that it will be sustained to rid the state of criminals.
“Our security architecture is paying off hugely. We woke up this morning to the news of the invasion of a camp in Owerre-Ezukala by our security men, Agunechemba. About 15 gunmen were demobilised and 13 were captured alive. We will continue on this lane until Anambra is totally free,” the governor added.
Victor Ezeja is a passionate journalist with six years of experience writing on economy, politics and energy. He holds a Masters degree in Mass Communication.
