By Karen James
Awka, Anambra State – May 13, 2025 — The Anambra State Police Command has announced the successful re-arrest of Ikemefuna Ossai, a key suspect in the kidnapping and brutal murder of the late Hon. Justice Azuka, who until his untimely death represented Onitsha 1 Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly.
According to a statement issued by the Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, Ossai was apprehended on May 7, 2025, following a coordinated, intelligence-driven operation that spanned several Nigerian states and extended into a neighboring West African country. The suspect was eventually located and captured in Asaba, Delta State.
Upon confrontation by the operatives, Ossai attempted to flee but was swiftly subdued, sustaining a gunshot wound to the leg during the arrest. His re-arrest marks a significant breakthrough in the ongoing investigation into the high-profile murder that has sent shockwaves across the state and beyond.
The Police Command, in a show of transparency and accountability, has since briefed the family of the late lawmaker as well as leadership of the Anambra State House of Assembly. During the engagement, the Commissioner of Police expressed deep regret over the earlier escape of the suspect and acknowledged the lapses that enabled it.
“Actionable intelligence obtained from the suspect is currently aiding our ongoing operations,” SP Ikenga revealed, noting that efforts have been intensified to apprehend remaining fugitives and dismantle the criminal network responsible for the heinous act.
The Command reaffirmed its commitment to delivering justice for the slain lawmaker and restoring public confidence in the state’s security architecture. “We remain unwavering in our resolve to bring all perpetrators to justice and ensure the safety and security of Ndi Anambra,” the statement concluded.
The late Hon. Justice Azuka was a respected figure in the state legislature, and his death remains a painful loss to his constituents and colleagues. The rearrest of his suspected killer offers a measure of hope that justice will ultimately prevail.
