Brutal Murder of Hon. Justice Azuka Sparks Outrage as Young Assailants Behind Crime

In a brutal display of lawlessness, Hon. Justice Azuka, a member of the Anambra State House of Assembly representing Onitsha North State Constituency, was abducted and gruesomely murdered on a fateful day that will forever be etched in the memories of Ndi Anambra.

The shocking nature of this crime has sent ripples of fear and ignited public outrage. But perhaps the most chilling aspect of this horrific act is the identity of the individuals responsible: a group of young men, some barely into adulthood, whose motivations seem to have been driven by nothing more than greed and the allure of easy money.

On that fateful day, Hon. Justice Azuka was abducted by a gang of eight individuals along Ugwunaobankpa Road, a busy and bustling route in Onitsha. The abduction was anything but spontaneous; it was a well-planned operation carried out by a group of young criminals who carefully plotted their move. According to sources close to the investigation, the group had been monitoring the movements of the lawmaker for weeks, waiting for the perfect opportunity to strike.

The group knew the late Hon. Azuka and they believed that by kidnapping him, they could extort a large sum of money in exchange for his release. Their plan was methodical and cold-blooded.

The gang managed to successfully abduct Hon. Azuka and forced him into their custody. They held him captive for several weeks, during which they demanded a ransom. The sum they requested was nothing short of staggering: N100 million. This enormous amount was based on the belief that the lawmaker’s family would be willing to pay any price to secure his release.

However, the situation soon escalated into something far worse than anyone could have imagined. Instead of negotiating for his release or following through with the ransom demands, the group of young men chose to execute their hostage in the most horrific manner imaginable. Hon. Azuka was executed with two shots to the head—point-blank range—ending his life in an instant.

Hon. Azuka’s decomposing body was discovered near the 2nd Niger Bridge, His body had been left in the open, abandoned and discarded like garbage. The discovery, which occurred on February 5, 2025, was a tragic and painful confirmation of the worst fears of his family. The manner of his death and the circumstances surrounding the discovery of his body have only intensified the grief and anger felt by the local community.

The haunting image of his body has further shaken the state of Anambra. The gang responsible for this act of violence showed a chilling disregard for human life, leaving behind a trail of devastation in their wake.

The callousness of this act of violence has left the nation in shock. In a country where political violence and corruption are sadly not uncommon, the murder of a sitting lawmaker is a reminder of just how far some will go in the pursuit of personal gain.

But what makes this act even more disturbing is the identity of those behind it: a group of young men, some of whom are barely old enough to be legally considered adults.

The list of suspects in this heinous crime is both alarming and tragic. The individuals behind this murder include:
Ugochukwu Onuorah, 30 years old
Ikemefuna Ossai, 20 years old
Ikenna Orugu, 27 years old
Chibuike Obiefuna, 19 years old
Chinonso Olisa, 19 years old
Chinedu Okoli, 21 years old
David Ojini, 25 years old
Peter Sunday, 20 years old (notably bearing a tattoo with the inscription “NO PEACE FOR THE GOVERNMENT”)

These suspects, some of whom are no older than teenagers, have shocked the country with their brutality. While they are all from different backgrounds, the fact that their ages range from 19 to 30 years old shows a disturbing trend: young people who, instead of channeling their energy into positive pursuits, have turned to violence and criminality to achieve their goals.

In particular, Peter Sunday, with his tattoo that reads “NO PEACE FOR THE GOVERNMENT,” highlights the deeply entrenched frustrations some young people harbor toward the political establishment. This slogan, which has become a rallying cry for many disgruntled youths, seems to reflect a mindset of rebellion and defiance against the established order.

Apparently, while this tattoo might indicate the suspect’s personal political views, it is clear that their motivations were purely financial—driven by the expectation that a high-profile abduction would result in a large sum of money.

The investigation into Hon. Azuka’s murder is ongoing, and authorities are working around the clock to ensure that justice is served. The public outcry has been immense, with many calling for swift and decisive action against the perpetrators. Given the young age of the suspects, there are concerns that the motivations for their actions may reflect broader social and economic issues within the country.

Questions have been raised about the environment in which these young men were raised. Could the lack of opportunities and pervasive poverty have contributed to their decision to turn to crime? Are we witnessing the consequences of a generation that feels abandoned by the political system it is supposed to trust? These are difficult questions to answer, but they are important ones to consider as the investigation unfolds.

In response to the growing wave of violent crime and insecurity that has plagued Anambra State, Governor Chukwuma Soludo launched a powerful security network designed to flush out criminals and bring an end to the wave of kidnappings and violence sweeping the State.

Since the launch of this security operation, the state has reported positive results in the fight against kidnappers, with several criminal groups being dismantled and key suspects apprehended. While it is still early days, the success of this initiative in its initial stages has instilled hope that the tide may be turning.

The people of Anambra are cautiously optimistic that Governor Soludo’s efforts will create lasting change and ensure that criminals no longer have a free hand to terrorize the community.

Hon. Justice Azuka’s tragic death is a blow not only to his family and the people of Onitsha North but also to the entire state of Anambra. It is a stark reminder of the growing criminality among the youth and the need for urgent reforms in both the political and social structures of the country.

This brutal crime may be one of many that highlight the growing disillusionment among Nigeria’s youth, but it is one that has sparked an important conversation about the direction in which the country is headed. There is a clear need for stronger social programs, education, and job creation, to ensure that young people have the opportunity to build productive lives, rather than turning to a life of crime.

As the investigation continues and the suspects face justice, Hon. Azuka’s family and his constituents are left to grapple with the loss of a leader. His death will not be in vain if it prompts a much-needed conversation about the state of Nigeria’s youth and the violent tendencies that have taken root in many communities across the country.