The Onitsha community has expressed deep sadness and outrage over the tragic death of Justice Azuka, a lawmaker who represented Onitsha North Constituency 1 in the Anambra State House of Assembly.
His abduction on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024, and the subsequent discovery of his dead body on February 6, 2025, have sent shockwaves through the community.
The condemnation was made at a town hall meeting held on Monday, January 10, 2025, at Ime Obi Onitsha.
The participants noted that the senseless murder marked the second high-profile killing of a young, aspiring community leader in Onitsha within the past four months.
The community said it was still reeling from the attack on Patrick Agha Mba, Anambra State commissioner for Youth Development, his wife, and Kpajie Ernest ABK Offiah, leader of the Onitsha Youth Council (OYC), which resulted in the tragic death of Kpajie Offiah.
In a statement signed by Osita Anionwu, the community observed that the attack on Nweze Tony Nwora, mayor and chairman of Onitsha North Local Government, on Tuesday, February 4, 2025, further emphasised the escalating insecurity in Onitsha metropolis.
It also demanded answers and action from the authorities to address the growing concerns about safety and security.
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The statement recalled Governor Chukwuma Soludo’s declaration at his inauguration that fixing Onitsha was the key to fixing Anambra State which, in turn was the key to fixing the South East States and wondered if that remains the mantra of the administration in the face of the present circumstances of the metropolis which is the backbone of the internally generated revenue (IGR) or cash cow of the state.
The community also recalled Justice Azuka’s dedication to the community and public service, which they said, included “his selfless service to the community during the coronavirus (COVID-19) pandemic as a member of the Onitsha Community Covid Response Team (OCCRT), where he led the management and distribution of palliatives, his role as a co-founder and active volunteer of the NGO, Stroke Action, Life After Stroke Centre in the community for the rehabilitation of stroke survivors, in addition to his diligence and devotion as a legislator who was very close to his constituency.”
The community expressed shock “beyond belief at the circulation of a disturbing video on social media featuring one of the suspected killers with the body of Justice Azuka in the background, which appears to be orchestrated by security agents for self-praise. It was noted that instead of sensationalising the discovery of the dead body, the authorities should focus on preventing such heinous crimes and ensuring justice is served.”
The community wondered: “Why did it take over 40 days to locate Hon. Azuka, and was the government’s response adequate? Why was there a lack of communication from the authorities to the public and the family of the deceased? An electronic movement of the alleged large sum of money ought to be traceable through the banking system; the images of the alleged abductors do not reflect persons handling large sums of money thus, raising the question of possible other accomplices; will the authorities establish the truth without fear or favour, and ensure that those responsible for Justice Azuka’s murder are brought to book?
They also asked: “How can the community work together to restore peace and security to Onitsha and Anambra State? Will the state government address the root causes of insecurity and establish a mechanism for providing emotional and material support to victims’ families?
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