Nigerian police have stepped up their search for Justice Azuka, the lawmaker who represents Onitsha North Constituency in the Anambra State House of Assembly.
On December 24, gunmen kidnapped Azuka along Ugwunapampa Road in the state’s Onitsha North Local Government Area.
The Anambra State Police Command said in a Thursday update that the lawmaker’s vehicle has been found, with police officers from the Inland Town Division retrieving the abandoned vehicle as part of an ongoing rescue effort.
The Command’s spokesman, Tochukwu Ikenga, in a statement issued on Thursday, said that “the lawmaker’s whereabouts are still unclear despite the recovery because his family has not been contacted by the kidnappers.
“The vehicle of Honourable Justice Azuka, representing Onitsha North Constituency, was recovered by police officers attached to the Inland Town Division after an intense ongoing operation.
“On December 24, 2024, at 9:20 p.m., the Honourable Justice was abducted while travelling home along Ugwunapampa Road, Onitsha.”
He said that the squad had been instructed to increase attempts to save the lawmaker by Commissioner of Police Nnaghe Obono Itam.
In due time, the police spokesperson also pledged to share further information about the situation.
“The rescue crew spotted the abandoned car along Upper Iweka Road. The deployed team has been instructed by Commissioner of Police Nnaghe Obono Itam to step up efforts in the hopes of saving the Honourable member. We’ll keep you informed of any new developments,” he added.