Unidentified gunmen have abducted the representative of Onitsha North Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Justice Azuka.
The Labour Party lawmaker was kidnapped along Ugwunapampa Road in Inland Town, Onitsha as he was returning home on Tuesday night.
The lawmaker, who recently reclaimed his mandate after a court nullified the election of Douglas Egbuna of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP), was forcefully taken to an unknown location, and no contact has been made with his family by the kidnappers.
A close associate, who spoke on condition of anonymity, expressed deep concern about the lawmaker’s safety and current whereabouts.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer,
Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga said, “The Anambra Police Command has activated operational plans for the possible rescue and arrest of the kidnappers of Mr Justice Azuka, Honourable State House of Assembly member representing Onitsha North Constituency.
“The report of the sad event revealed that on 24/12/2024, at 9:20 pm, while returning home on Ugwunapampa Road, he was abducted by unidentified persons.
“The Command is already working on some clues for the possible rescue and arrest of the kidnappers. Further developments will be communicated.”
It would be recalled that in 2022, some assailants abducted the lawmaker representing Aguata Constituency 1 in the State House of Assembly, Mr Okechukwu Okoye.
Okoye, an indigene of Isuofia, the same community as the state governor, Prof. Chukwuma Soludo, was later beheaded, and his head was dumped in a community in the state.
