Police have intensified search for Justice Azuka, the lawmaker representing Onitsha North Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly.
Azuka was abducted by gunmen on December 24 along Ugwunapampa Road in Onitsha North Local Government Area of the State.
In an update on the incident on Thursday, the Anambra State Police Command said the lawmaker’s vehicle has been recovered.
The Command’s spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, said that police operatives attached to the Inland Town Division retrieved the abandoned vehicle during an ongoing rescue operation.
Despite the recovery, the lawmaker’s whereabouts remain unknown as the kidnappers are yet to contact his family.
Ikenga said, “Following an intense ongoing operation, police operatives attached to the Inland Town Division have recovered the vehicle of Honourable Justice Azuka, representing Onitsha North Constituency, who was kidnapped on December 24, 2024, at 9:20 pm while returning home along Ugwunapampa Road, Onitsha.”
He stated that the Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Obono Itam, has ordered the team to step up efforts in rescuing the lawmaker.
The police spokesman also promised to provide more details on the development in due course.
“The abandoned vehicle was sighted at Upper Iweka Road by the rescue team. The Commissioner of Police, Nnaghe Obono Itam, has charged the deployed team to intensify efforts for the possible rescue of the Honourable member. Further developments will be communicated,” he added.
See the full statement below:
ANAMBRA POLICE RECOVERS THE VEHICLE OF KIDNAPED HON AZUKA AS CP ITAM CHARGES THE DEPLOYED OFFENSIVE TEAMS TO REDOUBLE EFFORT FOR POSSIBLE RESCUE
Following an intense ongoing operation, Police Operatives attached to the Inland Town Divison have recovered the vehicle of Mr Justice Azuka, Honourable State House of Assembly member representing Onitsha North Constituency, who was kidnapped on 24/12/2024 by 9:20pm, while returning home at Ugwunapampa road, Onitsha by yet unidentified persons.
The separate rescue team sighted the abandoned vehicle at Upper Iweka Road.
Meanwhile the Commissioner of Police CP Nnaghe Obono Itam has charged the deployed rescue team to intensify efforts for the possible rescue of the Honourable member.
Further development shall be communicated, please.
SP Tochukwu Ikenga
Police Public Relations Officer
Anambra State Police Command
Awka
26th December, 2024
