No fewer than nine suspected kidnappers and killers of Hon. Justice Azuka, a member representing Onitsha North 1 Constituency in Anambra state House of Assembly who was kidnapped in Onitsha on December 24, 2024 have been arrested by joint security operatives in the state.
The suspects, according to the source, were arrested during a joint operation by men of the Rapid Response Squad, RRS, Awkuzu, formerly known as Special AntI-Robbery Squad, SARS, men of newly created security outfits in the state, Agunaechemba, Udo Ga Achi and men of the Special Anti-Touting Squad of Anambra State, SASA.
A joint statement issued to newsmen by the security operatives mentioned those so far arrested as one Kelvin Ikechukwu Ossai (aka Ikem, 16) from Aboh in Delta state but resides in Ogbe-Ukwu in Ogbaru Local Government Area, Anambra State, one Ekene from Ebonyi State who shot Hon Justice Azuka twice on the leg, Prince, aka Tukwasi from Abia State, Uzo from Imo state,Ugoo aka Ojiekpere among others.
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The statement added that the suspects were all arrested in Asaba, Delta state except two suspects that were arrested at the Bridgehead after serious exchange of gun fire.
According to the statement, their operational weapons were also recovered from them. These included two pump action riffles at Osa Dennis Secondary School in Asaba, Delta state capital, which were buried inside the school compound.
According to Ikem, one of the principal suspects, in a confessional statement, we were not contracted by anybody to kidnap Azuka. He just ran into us while we were in an operation and we decided to abducted him.
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The gang members, according to the spokesperson of the joint team who does not want his name in print were living large in Asaba with the proceeds of their operational activities in Anambra State where over 200 persons have been kidnapped in the last one year.
“Cars and cash taken away from victims were being used by the hoodlums to live this ostentatious lifestyle. They were brutal and operated unchallenged”.
The team said efforts were being made to arrest the fleeing gang members like Ugoo Kewe, Nonso and others.
This successful operation was led by Agunaechemba, the newly inaugurated security outfit in Anambra State.