The commissioner of police in Anambra State, Mr. Ikioye Orutugu has made some clarifications over the incident which led to two suspects involved in the killing of Anambra State House of Assembly lawmaker, Honourable Justice Azuka to escape from police custody.
Ikioye Orutugu during a press briefing on Friday at the command headquarters in Awka, stated that the unfortunate incident occurred two days before he formally assumed office as the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, on 10th February 2025.
According to the police Chief, upon receiving intelligence regarding the case on 18th February 2025, he personally took measures to ensure a meticulous investigation aimed at unmasking the circumstances surrounding the case.
He said, “Distinguished members of the press, the purpose of this briefing is to provide clarity on the ongoing investigation into the two fleeing suspects involved in the murder of Hon. Justice Azuka, a serving member representing Onitsha 1 Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly. Additionally, I will highlight some of the significant achievements of the Command within the period under review.
“It is important to reiterate that this unfortunate incident occurred two days before I formally assumed office as the Commissioner of Police, Anambra State, on 10th February 2025.
“However, upon receiving intelligence regarding this case on 18th February 2025, I deemed it necessary to brief Ndi Anambra and the general public, reaffirming the Command’s commitment to keeping residents informed about the evolving security situation in the state.
“Recognizing the gravity of this development, I personally took measures to ensure a meticulous investigation aimed at uncovering the circumstances surrounding the case.”
Speaking further, Orutugu said findings from investigation revealed that the incident took place on 8th February 2025 in Obosi.
Two suspects, identified as Ikemefuna Ossai from Delta State and Chinedu Okoli from Imo State, are among the eleven (11) suspects already taken into custody and paraded by the Command.
While they are not the principal actors in the crime, they served as drivers for the criminal gang.
The duo Orutugu said, was assisting operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RSS) Awkuzu in apprehending one Tochukwu Akolisa from Anambra State.
According to their statements, Tochukwu Akolisa was one of the receivers or buyers of stolen vehicles and belongings of their victims.
He added, “Findings from our investigation confirm that the incident took place on 8th February 2025 in Obosi. Two suspects, identified as Ikemefuna Ossai from Delta State and Chinedu Okoli from Imo State, are among the eleven (11) suspects already apprehended and paraded by the Command. While they are not the principal actors in the crime, they served as drivers for the criminal gang. The duo was assisting operatives of the Rapid Response Squad (RSS) Awkuzu in apprehending one Tochukwu Akolisa from Anambra State. According to their statements, Tochukwu Akolisa was one of the receivers or buyers of stolen vehicles and belongings of their victims.
“During an operation to arrest Tochukwu Akolisa, he attempted to flee upon sighting the police operatives who were accompanied by Ikemefuna and Chinedu. In the course of this operation, Tochukwu Akolisa was shot in the leg and taken into custody. However, in the ensuing confusion, the two suspects managed to escape in a vehicle. Despite an immediate pursuit by police operatives, they abandoned the vehicle and fled into a nearby bush. Unfortunately, all efforts to re-arrest them have so far been unsuccessful.
“As the substantive Commissioner of Police, I consider it a priority to ensure the re-arrest of these suspects and to implement stringent measures to prevent such security breaches in the future.
“I have duly briefed the Force Headquarters on the current situation and the steps taken, including activating operational strategies to apprehend the suspects at large and initiating disciplinary actions against officers whose lapses contributed to their escape.”
