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Police rearrest escaped suspected kidnapper of Anambra lawmaker
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By Francesca Hangeior
The Anambra State Police Command has rearrested one Ikemefuna Ossai, a suspect linked to the kidnapping and gruesome murder of the late member, representing Onitsha 1 Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly, Justice Azuka.
It was gathered that the suspect was re-arrested in Asaba, Delta State, by a team of Police operatives led by the former Officer-in-Charge of Anambra Special Anti-Robbery Squad, Ifeanyi Iburu, a Chief Superintendent of Police.
Ossai was first arrested on February 6, the day the lifeless body of the kidnapped lawmaker, who was abducted on December 24, 2024, was found by security operatives near the Second Niger Bridge.
He reportedly escaped on February 18, alongside one of his gang members at Obosi, Idemili North Local Government Area of Anambra State, when they accompanied some police officers to arrest another suspect linked to the crime.
In a press statement released on Tuesday, the Spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, said he was arrested on May 7, following a painstaking and intelligence-led operation, after he was tracked across multiple states in Nigeria and neighbouring countries.
The statement read, “The Anambra State Police Command wishes to inform the public that its operatives have successfully rearrested one Ikemefuna Ossai, a suspect in the kidnapping and gruesome murder of the late Justice Azuka, the distinguished Member representing Onitsha 1 Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly.
“This rearrest followed a painstaking and intelligence-led operation. The suspect, who had previously escaped custody, was tracked across multiple states within Nigeria and even into a neighbouring West African country.
“He was eventually apprehended on May 7, 2025, in Asaba, Delta State. Upon sighting the operatives, the suspect attempted to escape arrest but was swiftly subdued and sustained a gunshot wound to the leg in the process.”
Ikenga said the Police Command, in its continued commitment to transparency and accountability, has briefed relevant stakeholders, including the family of the late lawmaker and the leadership of the Anambra State House of Assembly.
“During the engagement, the Commissioner of Police acknowledged and expressed regret over the operational lapses that led to the suspect’s earlier escape.
“Further to this development, actionable intelligence obtained from the suspect is currently aiding ongoing operations. The Command has intensified efforts to apprehend the remaining fugitive and dismantle the criminal network responsible for this heinous crime.
“The Anambra State Police Command reiterates its unwavering resolve to bring all perpetrators to justice and ensure the safety and security of Ndi Anambra,” the statement added.
Troops of Operation ENDURING PEACE, OPEP, in collaboration with the Civilian Joint Task Force, CJTF, have arrested a suspected kidnapper linked to the abduction of a resident in Kauru Local Government Area of Kaduna State.
This was contained in a statement posted on X by the Nigerian Army.
The post identified the suspect as Buba Ali, 30, adding that he was arrested at about 12:45 pm on Sunday, August 9, at Binawa village in Kauru Local Government Area.
According to post, the suspect was arrested during a joint operation conducted by troops of Sector 7 OPEP and members of the CJTF.
It said the suspect was reportedly linked to the kidnapping of Alhaji Tasi, who was abducted in the village.
“Following his arrest, Ali was taken into custody and is currently being interrogated by security personnel.
“The ongoing investigation is focused on obtaining information that could lead to the identification and arrest of other members of the suspected kidnapping gang,” the Army said.
Nigerian ambassador to South Africa, Femi Fani-Kayode, has rejected claims by an Islamic scholar, Sheikh Yahaya Jingir, that Nigeria is a Muslim country.
In a viral video, Sheikh Jingir, who was preaching to Muslims at an event, said “if you don’t want to accept a Muslim-Muslim ticket, you should leave Nigeria because it belongs to us”.
The comment has continued to generate backlash online as Christians rejected the claim.
Reacting, Fani-kayode in a statement posted on his official X handle on Sunday night, said the cleric’s remark is unhelpful and untrue.
“Worse of all is the fact that it is highly provocative,” the former aviation minister said.
“Kindly take note that it is a very slippery and dangerous slope to take and is best avoided. Nigeria is NOT a Muslim country and neither is she a Christian country.
“She is a SECULAR and MULTI-RELIGIOUS state comprising BOTH Christians and Muslims in equal numbers and that is our strength,” FFK added.
He further stated that President Bola Tinubu’s Muslim/Muslim ticket for 2027 is gaining acceptance “only because of the calibre, ability, sincerity of purpose, character, utility and electoral strength of our Presidential and Vice Presidential candidates and their ability to deliver and not because they are Muslims”.
“One day we may have a Christian/Christian ticket too because with God all things are possible,” he added.
The Osun State Police Command has confirmed the release of the state Commissioner for Environment and Sanitation, Moyowa Adejoorin, who was arrested in connection with a shooting incident at an All Progressives Congress, APC, rally in Ilesa.
The incident occurred on Saturday and reportedly left four people injured, including a teenager identified as Tobi Ilesanmi.
The command’s spokesperson, DSP Abiodun Ojelabi, said Adejoorin was taken into custody after police officers arrived at the scene, secured the area and began collecting evidence.
According to Ojelabi, the commissioner’s vehicle was stopped at the location, where an Amotekun operative allegedly linked to the shooting was also found.
“Immediately the incident was reported, our personnel moved to the scene and cordoned off the area before some exhibits were recovered, which included expended cartridges and Amotekun personnel caps.
“Also, Mr Adejoorin was arrested at the scene and taken to the command for questioning as part of the investigation process,” Ojelabi said.
The development came amid heightened attention to the incident after a video circulated on social media on Sunday showing Adejoorin leaving the police command.
Confirming the development, Ojelabi told Vanguard that the commissioner had been released on bail but said he was still awaiting clarification on the status of the Amotekun operative who was arrested alongside him.
“It is true that the commissioner has been released on bail today, but I am yet to clear the situation with the Amotekun personnel arrested with him,” he said.
Police investigations into the circumstances surrounding the shooting are ongoing.
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