The Anambra Police Command has arrested a robbery suspect linked to the murder of Justice Azuka, the Labour Party lawmaker for the Onitsha 1 Constituency in the state house of assembly.

The state police public relations officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, disclosed this in a statement on Wednesday in Awka.

Mr Azuka was kidnapped along the Ugwunaobakpa Road, Inland Town, Onitsha, on December 24, 2024, on his way home for Christmas.

His corpse was later discovered on February 6 in the bush of the Second Niger Bridge in the state.

Mr Ikenga said the command, through operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu, arrested the suspect, who was heavily injured during a major offensive operation in the Ogbaru Local Government Area of the state on December 8.

“The suspect, a 26-year-old male, is a dangerous criminal with a long history of violent offences.

“He was apprehended in Iyowa Odekpe, Ogbaru LGA, after a fierce confrontation with the police operatives,” he said.

Mr Ikenga said that during the operation, one locally made Beretta pistol and eleven live ammunition rounds were recovered.

He explained that the suspect, known for his violent criminal activities, was found to have a large tattoo on his body with the inscriptions “No Forgiveness” and “No Mercy.”

According to Mr Ikenga, the tattoo is a disturbing reminder of the hardened nature of his criminal mindset.

The spokesman said that upon interrogation, the suspect confessed to being the leader of several criminal gangs operating across Anambra and neighbouring states.

“He revealed his involvement in the abduction and subsequent murder of Azuka, a distinguished member of the Anambra House of Assembly, on December 24.

“The murder of Hon. Justice Azuka shocked the state and drew widespread condemnation,” he said.

Mr Ikenga said the arrest of the suspect represents a significant breakthrough in the state’s war against violent crime.

The command urged the public to remain vigilant and cooperate with law enforcement agencies in the continued fight against crime.

It encouraged the public to report criminal activities confidentially to the police through the following contacts: the control room at 07039194332 or the police public relations officer at 08039334002.

(NAN)