Police in Anambra State have apprehended a suspected notorious armed robber believed to be directly involved in the high-profile murder of Hon. Azuka Justice, a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly, who was abducted and killed on December 24, 2024.
The arrest was announced on Wednesday by Ikenga Tochukwu, spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command.
Tochukwu confirmed that operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu, captured 26-year-old Ugochukwu Uzor in Iyowa Odekpe, Ogbaru Local Government Area, following a coordinated offensive operation on December 8.
According to the police, Uzor engaged officers in a violent confrontation before being subdued.
During the operation, authorities recovered a locally made Beretta pistol along with eleven live rounds of ammunition.
Described by the police as the leader of multiple violent criminal gangs operating across Anambra and neighbouring states, Uzor bears tattoos with the inscriptions “No Forgiveness” and “No Mercy,” which authorities say reflect his hardened criminal nature.
Upon interrogation, he allegedly confessed to participating in the abduction and murder of the late lawmaker.
The police spokesman hailed the arrest as a significant step toward dismantling organised criminal networks in the state.
Tochukwu emphasised that investigations are ongoing to apprehend Uzor’s accomplices and urged the public to remain vigilant, cooperating with law enforcement by reporting any suspicious activity.
The Anambra State Police Command has provided dedicated contacts for confidential tips: the Control Room at 07039194332 and the Police Public Relations Officer at 08039334002.
The murder of Hon. Justice last year sent shockwaves across the state, prompting widespread condemnation and calls for swift justice.
Authorities hope that the arrest of Uzor will bring some measure of closure to the victim’s family and strengthen public confidence in the state’s security apparatus.
