I won’t betray the state, Anambra CP vows

Maduako Igbokwe I Friday, February 21, 2025

 

AWKA, Anambra – Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Orutugu Ikioye, has vowed not to do anything that would offend the gods and the people of the state.

Orutugu made the statement on Thursday while clarifying the escape of two suspects involved in the kidnapping and killings of an Anambra State lawmaker.

“I am ready to beat my chest to the Anambra ground that I will not deceive Ndi Anambra. I will do my work as Commissioner of Police diligently, to the best of my knowledge,” he stated.

He explained that he called the media briefing to set the record straight, countering some misinformation circulating in the public.

“The purpose of this press briefing is to set the records straight on the two fleeing suspects involved in the murder of the late Hon. Justice Azuka, a Member Representing Onitsha 1 Constituency in the State House of Assembly, Anambra State. I will also highlight some of the breakthroughs of the Command within the period under review.

Let me reiterate the fact that this regrettable incident occurred two days before I assumed office on 10th February 2025 as Commissioner of Police in Anambra State.

Upon receiving the information on 18th February 2025, I decided to brief Ndi Anambra and Nigerians, as the Command under my watch shall ensure residents stay informed as the security situation evolves in the state.

This sad development motivated me to conduct a thorough investigation to gather the facts surrounding the incident.

My findings show that the incident took place on 8th February 2025 in Obosi. The two suspects, Ikemefuna Ossai from Delta State and Chinedu Okoli from Imo State, are among eleven suspects already paraded by the Command. However, Ikemefuna and Chinedu are not the principal suspects but were drivers for the notorious gang. They were assisting the Police Operatives attached to the Rapid Response Squad (RSS) Akwuzu in arresting one Tochukwu Akolisa from Anambra State, who, according to the suspects, was one of the receivers/buyers of the victims’ vehicles and belongings,” he stated.

According to him, during the operation to arrest Tochukwu (the receiver), fled immediately upon seeing the Police Operatives, who were accompanied by Ikemefuna and Chinedu.

“It is regrettable that I was informed that Ikemefuna and Chinedu were driving the car when the operatives alighted, shot the receiver/buyer in the leg, and arrested him,” he said.

The CP added that the two other suspects took advantage of the situation and escaped from the scene with the vehicle.

“I was also briefed that during a hot pursuit by the Police Operatives, the suspects abandoned the car and fled into a nearby bush. The area was cordoned off, and all efforts to apprehend the fugitives proved unsuccessful.”

As the substantive Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, I consider it a priority to address this situation, re-arrest the suspects, and implement necessary measures to prevent similar incidents or related ones in the future.

I have briefed the Force headquarters on the situation and the actions taken, which include activating operational plans to re-arrest the suspects at large and initiating disciplinary proceedings against police personnel involved due to operational lapses,” he added.