Lawrence Nwimo, Awka
Police in Anambra State have clarified the recent escape of two suspects linked to the murder of late lawmaker, Hon. Justice Azuka, representing Onitsha 1 State Constituency at the Anambra State House of Assembly.
Ikengaonline reported that two of the arrested suspects escaped the police custody when they led an operation to apprehend the receiver and recover the operational vehicles used in their criminal activities.
The reported escape has generated reactions from the public, with many accusing police of mishandling the arrest of the two principal suspects involved in the murder case.
Briefing Journalists in Awka, the state capital on Friday, Police Commissioner, CP Ikioye Orutugu, clarified that the fleeing duo are not the principal suspects involved in the case, but mere drivers of the criminals.
“Let me reiterate the fact that this regrettable incident happened two days before I assumed Office on 10th February 2025 as the Commissioner of Police Anambra State.
“Upon receipt of the information on 18th of February 2025, this informed my briefing to Ndi Anambra and Nigerians as the Command under my watch shall ensure residents stay informed as the Security Situation evolves in the State.
“This sad development motivated me to go the extra mile on a discreet investigation to gather the facts surrounding the incident.
“The cause of my findings shows that the incident happened on the 8th of February, 2025 in Obosi. The two (2) suspects, Ikemefuna Ossai from Delta State and Chinedu Okoli from Imo State out of eleven (11) confessed suspects already paraded by the Command.
“Chinedu and Ikemefuna are not the principal suspects but the drivers of the notorious gang. They were assisting the Police Operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad ( RSS) Akwuzu to arrest one Tochukwu Akolisa from Anambra State, whom according to the suspect mentioned the Tochukwu Akolisa as one of the receivers/buyers of their victim’s vehicles/belongings.”
“During the onslaught operation by the Operatives, to arrest Tochukwu (the receiver) took to his heels Immediately he sighted the Police Operatives in company with Ikemfuna and Chinedu. Regrettably, I was informed that the two suspects Ikemfuna and Chinedu were the ones driving the car when the operatives alighted the vehicle, shot at the receiver/buyer on his leg and arrested him. The two other suspects used the opportunity to escape from the scene with the vehicle.
“I was also briefed that during a hot chase by the Police Operatives, the suspect abandoned the car and escaped into a nearby bush. The area was cordoned off and all efforts to apprehend the fugitives proved abortive,” he added.
The CP, however, vowed to re-arrest the fleeing suspects, and implement necessary measures to prevent such incidents from reoccurring.
He said the command is more motivated to stabilise the security situation in the state, and mentioned that the police during the brief period he has been in charge has recorded successful rescue of kidnap victims and arrest of criminals in the state.
He assured that Police, as the lead agency in internal security, will continue to synergise with the military, other security forces and the vigilantes to improve operational capacity, security dominance and tactics aimed at depriving criminals the space to perpetrate evil in the State.
