Onitsha youth group challenges Anambra Police commissioner’s claim on escaped murder suspects

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By Sunny A. David, Awka

The Onitsha Ado Youth Forum (OAYF) has challenged Anambra State’s new Commissioner of Police, Mr. Ikioye Orutugu, over his assertion that two escaped suspects were not the principal figures in the kidnapping and murder of Hon. Justice Azuka.

Following a press briefing in Awka, the OAYF issued a statement rejecting the Commissioner’s claim, urging the public to disregard it.

OAYF President, Mr. Ginika Odua, stated that some forum members participated in the arrest of gang leader Kelvin Ikechukwu Ossai (aka Ikem), who led authorities to the murder site.

The Group questioned how Ossai could have guided them to the location of Hon. Azuka’s body if he weren’t a key player, and how he could have known the buyers of vehicles stolen by the gang.

The OAYF identified the escaped suspects, Kelvin Ikechukwu Ossai and Chinedu Okoli (aka OCHA), as the perpetrators who kidnapped Hon. Azuka on December 24th, 2024, in Onitsha, and subsequently murdered him, dumping his body near the Second Niger Bridge in Obosi.

They called for an apology from the Commissioner for what they termed misleading and provocative statements, particularly given the ongoing manhunt for the fugitives.

The Youth Group also demanded a complete overhaul of the Awkuzu Rapid Response Squad (RRS), citing corruption, extortion, and incompetence within the unit.

Further, they called for a command-wide restructuring, including the rotation of officers who have served in one location for five years or more to curb excesses and address corruption.