Lawmaker’s murder: Anambra speaker orders crackdown on fleeing suspects

Anambra State House of Assembly Speaker, Somtochukwu Udeze, has called on the state police command to ensure the immediate re-arrest of the fleeing suspects connected to the murder of Justice Azuka, a member of the House.

Udeze, visibly outraged, urged the police to spare no effort in tracking down the escaped suspects and bringing them to justice. His statement followed a disclosure by Anambra State Police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga on Tuesday night that two suspects in Azuka’s murder had escaped from custody under unclear circumstances.

The suspects had reportedly fled while officers attempted to recover stolen property linked to the crime, raising serious concerns about procedural lapses within the force.

Reacting to the development, the Anambra State House of Assembly issued a statement on Wednesday, expressing deep concern over the escape. While acknowledging the police’s professional handling of the case so far, the Speaker described the incident as a setback that could undermine public confidence in the investigation.

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He highlighted that the escape of key suspects posed a grave risk to public safety and could potentially obstruct the course of justice.

The Speaker directed the State Commissioner of Police to intensify efforts to recapture the suspects. He also urged the police to declare them wanted and publicly release their names, addresses, and photographs to facilitate their arrest with public assistance.

“The Anambra State House of Assembly deeply regrets this unfortunate development, which casts a shadow over an otherwise commendable investigation. However, our position is clear: the fleeing suspects must be tracked and apprehended at all costs,” Udeze stated.

He emphasised that Justice Azuka’s death must not be in vain, insisting that justice must be served. He further called on the Inspector General of Police to intervene and ensure a thorough review of the circumstances surrounding the escape, stressing the need for accountability within the force.