Two suspects linked to the murder of Anambra State lawmaker, Justice Azuka, have escaped from police custody, sparking concerns over security lapses within the force.
Spokesperson of the Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, confirmed the development in a statement on Tuesday, revealing that Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, was briefed about the escape.
According to Ikenga, the suspects were assisting police operatives in an investigation when they fled during an operation to arrest an alleged receiver of stolen vehicles linked to the criminal gang.
“During the onslaught operation by the operatives, the suspect (the receiver) was arrested, and two vehicles suspected to have been snatched from unsuspecting members of the public were recovered,” Ikenga stated. “Unfortunately, the other two suspects fled the scene.”
In response, the police commissioner has deployed intelligence and operational teams to track down the fugitives and ordered disciplinary action against officers responsible for their escape.
Justice Azuka’s decomposing body was discovered about two weeks ago at the Second Niger Bridge in Onitsha after he was abducted by gunmen on December 14, 2024.
