Pandemonium as gunmen ambush, whisk-away Anambra Lawmaker, Justice Azuka

Justice Azuka, the representative of Onitsha North Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, has been abducted by unidentified gunmen.

The kidnapping occurred on Tuesday night along Ugwunapampa Road in Inland Town, Onitsha, as the Labour Party lawmaker was returning home.

Azuka recently reclaimed his mandate after a court nullified the election of Douglas Egbuna of the Peoples Democratic Party (PDP).

Sources report that Azuka 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.

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 is 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.