Two of the suspects arrested for the alleged murder of a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, Justice Azuka, have escaped from police custody.
The Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed this in a statement on Tuesday, February 18, 2025.
Ikenga stated that the command had activated an operational plan to re-arrest the suspects, adding that the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, had directed disciplinary action against the officers for their negligent act.
He said: “CP Orutugu, on receipt of the report on Tuesday, February 18, about the escape from police custody of two suspects involved in the murder of late Justice Azuka, Member Representing Onitsha 1 Constituency in the State House of Assembly.
“He has consequently deployed both human, operational and intelligence assets of the Command for the re-arrest of the suspects and directed immediate disciplinary action against the officers found wanton in this regard.
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“Preliminary information reveals that following the confession of the criminal gang, two of the suspects assisting the Police Investigating Officers in an operation to arrest the receiver and recover the operational vehicles that the gang used in their deadly activities, escaped.”
Ikenga noted that during the onslaught operation by police operatives, the suspect (the receiver) was arrested and two vehicles suspected to have been snatched from the unsuspecting members of the public were recovered.
The police spokesman said two other suspects fled the scene.
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He further stated that the command was on the offensive against every criminal element in Anambra State and that efforts were in top gear to ensure that the suspects were re-arrested and justice served.
Ikenga noted that the erring police officers would also face disciplinary action if found culpable.
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