The newly deployed Commissioner of Police to Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu has summoned the commander, Rapid Response Squad (RRS), Awkuzu, CSP Ifeanyi Iburu over the escape of two out of the 10 suspects arrested in connection with the murder of the member representing Onitsha-North 1 constituency in Anambra State, Hon. Justice Azuka.
CSP Iburu and his team of nine security operatives coordinating investigations into the Anambra lawmaker’s murder according to LEADERSHIP investigation arrived the state police command headquarters, Amawbia early morning on Wednesday from the Awkuzu base of RRS on the order of the new state police boss.
CP Orutugu was said to have been saddened over the escape of the suspects, and, has warned that any personnel of the command found culpable would face disciplinary actions.
The two escaped suspects, whose names LEADERSHIP ascertained as Ikemefuna Ossai from Delta State and Chinedu Okoli from Imo State, were said to have escaped when CSP Iburu and his team took them to arrest the sponsor of their gang.
The sad development was said to have happened about two days before CP Orutugu assumed duties as the 35th commissioner of police in the state.
The escape of the two suspects was said to have happened on 8th of February in the twilight of the immediate past state’s police commissioner, CP Nnaghe Itam under whose watch the state Assembly legislator was kidnapped on the eve of last Christmas at about 9pm in Ugwunakpamkpa area of Inland Town, Onitsha, and, later killed by his abductors.
The remains of the lawmaker had already been committed to mother earth on 15th February after his decomposing body was recovered by a joint security team of the police and Anambra State Anti-Touting Squad (SASA) somewhere at the Second Niger Bridge area of Onitsha.
LEADERSHIP learnt that CP Orutugu did not receive any briefing from his immediate predecessor concerning Hon. Azuka’s murder case.
“He (CP Orutugu) was shocked when the news filtered that two suspects that were arrested over the murder of that state legislator escaped. Since it happened, the man has been angry and worried. His predecessor did not debrief him anything about the case”, a source within the state police command told LEADERSHIP.
Meanwhile, when contacted, public relations officer of the state police command (PPRO), superintendent of police, SP Tochukwu Ikenga confirmed the escape of the two suspects.
