Gunmen have abducted Justice Azuka, a member of the Anambra state house of assembly.
The lawmaker, who represents Onitsha north constituency in the house of assembly, was attacked by gunmen along Ugwunapampa road in Onitsha, Anambra state, while returning home for the Christmas celebration.
The incident happened on Tuesday night.
Azuka is a member of the Labour Party (LP). In November 2023, the appeal court affirmed his election after removing a Peoples Democratic Party (PDP) lawmaker, who was earlier declared the winner of the poll.
Confirming the incident, Ikenga Tochukwu, Anambra police spokesperson, said the command has “activated operational plans” for the rescue of the lawmaker.
“The report of the incident indicates that on December 24, 2024, at about 9:20 pm, while returning home along Ugwunapampa Road, he was abducted by unidentified persons,” Ikenga said.
“The command is working on leads to ensure his rescue and the arrest of those responsible. Further updates will be provided as the investigation progresses.”
This is not the first time a state lawmaker has been kidnapped in Anambra.
In May 2022, Okechukwu Okoye, the lawmaker who was representing the Aguata II constituency in the state, was killed by gunmen.
Okoye was initially kidnapped in the Aguata area of the state.
After some days, his headless body was found in the Nnobi area of the state.
