By Vincent Ujumadu

Awka – The Onitsha community in Anambra State has expressed outrage and grief over the brutal murder of Honourable Justice Azuka, the lawmaker representing Onitsha North Constituency 1 in the State House of Assembly. They are now demanding urgent solutions to the escalating insecurity in the state.

At a town hall meeting held at Ime Obi Onitsha, community members voiced their concerns over the abduction of Hon. Azuka on Christmas Eve, December 24, 2024, and the eventual discovery of his body on February 6, 2025—a tragic event that has sent shockwaves throughout the region.

In an emotion-laden statement, participants at the meeting posed critical questions:

Why did it take over 40 days to locate Hon. Azuka, and was the government’s response adequate?

Why was there a lack of communication from authorities to the public and the deceased’s family?

Will the government ensure a thorough investigation and bring the perpetrators to justice?

What measures will the state put in place to address insecurity and support victims’ families?

They also pointed out that any large ransom payment should be traceable through the banking system, raising concerns about potential accomplices beyond those currently identified.

The community recalled that Azuka’s murder is the second high-profile killing in Onitsha within four months.

They cited: The assassination of Ernest Offiah, leader of the Onitsha Youth Council (OYC), during an attack on Hon. Patrick Agha Mba, Anambra’s Commissioner for Youth Development, and his wife.

The February 4, 2025, attack on Hon. Nweze Tony Nwora, the Mayor and Chairman of Onitsha North Local Government, which underscored the worsening security crisis in Onitsha metropolis.

The town hall gathering reminded Governor Chukwuma Soludo of his inaugural promise that “fixing Onitsha is key to fixing Anambra State, and in turn, the South East.” They questioned whether this commitment still stands, given the current security breakdown in the commercial hub of the state.

Mourners at the meeting praised Hon. Azuka’s dedication to public service, highlighting:

His role in the Onitsha Community COVID Response Team (OCCRT), managing palliative distribution during the pandemic.

His work as co-founder and volunteer at Stroke Action, Life After Stroke Centre, supporting stroke survivors.

His deep connection to his constituency, which earned him the trust of the people.

The community also condemned the disturbing social media video featuring one of the suspected killers standing near Azuka’s lifeless body, allegedly orchestrated by security agents for self-praise. They urged authorities to focus on preventing such heinous crimes rather than sensationalizing the tragedy.

With insecurity spiraling out of control, the Onitsha community is demanding decisive action from the government to restore law and order. They insist that those responsible for Hon. Azuka’s murder must be brought to justice, and lasting security measures must be put in place to prevent future tragedies.