In a dramatic turn of events, the Anambra State Police Command has admitted to operational lapses following the escape of two suspects linked to the brutal abduction and murder of Hon. Justice Azuka, a lawmaker representing Onitsha 1 Constituency.
The police, however, have strongly denied allegations that officers deliberately facilitated the escape, dismissing claims by the Labour Party (LP) caucus in the Anambra State House of Assembly that the force was complicit in sabotaging justice.
On Wednesday, LP lawmakers, including Hon. Barr. Jude Ifeanyi Umennajiego, Hon. Mazi Paul Obu, Hon. Fred Ezenwa, Hon. Barr. Pat Okafor, Hon. Tochukwu Udemezue, Hon. Nigeria Mbachu, and Hon. Nkechi Ogbuefi, accused the police of handling the situation with negligence, if not outright complicity.
The lawmakers expressed concerns that the manner in which the suspects escaped from the custody of the Police Rapid Response Squad (RRS) suggested foul play. They alleged that the police had failed to take decisive action for over a week, allowing the fugitives ample time to evade justice.
“This escape is not just a security lapse; it reeks of a deliberate cover-up,” a lawmaker stated. “We believe Hon. Justice Azuka’s murder was politically motivated, and this botched handling only strengthens our suspicions.”
In response to the mounting accusations, Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, on Thursday urged the public to maintain faith in the force, insisting that the police were committed to bringing the killers to justice.
“Please, trust us again. The police cannot be the same people who risk their lives alongside other security operatives to arrest these criminals and then turn around to sabotage the process,” Ikenga stated.
He reminded the public that the suspects had been paraded before the media, proving the police’s initial success in capturing them.
Despite the denial of wrongdoing, the police acknowledged their failure in securing the suspects and assured that an internal investigation was ongoing. Officers found culpable in the security breach, Ikenga said, would face serious disciplinary action.
“We are owning up to our responsibility, no doubt. Our priority now is to re-arrest the suspects while interrogating the officers involved in these operational lapses. They will face serious sanctions,” he added.
SaharaReporters earlier revealed that the police announced the suspects’ escape eight days after it occurred, further fueling suspicions of foul play. The command initially claimed the suspects fled while assisting in an operation to recover stolen goods and vehicles used in the crime.
However, LP lawmakers insisted that had the police immediately released the suspects’ photos, full names, and other details to the public, security agencies and citizens could have worked together to track them down.
“The delay in announcing their escape raises serious questions. We demand full disclosure on how these suspects managed to flee from custody,” one lawmaker asserted.
The escape of the high-profile murder suspects has triggered widespread public outrage, with citizens and rights groups calling for an independent probe into the circumstances surrounding their disappearance. Many fear that justice for Hon. Justice Azuka may be slipping away, reinforcing the perception of deep-seated corruption within the system.
As the Anambra State Police battle to regain public confidence, the onus is now on them to swiftly recapture the fugitives and ensure that those responsible for the security breach are held accountable.
PIONEER NEWS 