Labour Party Lawmakers Decry Anambra Government’s Silence Over Abducted Legislator

The Labour Party (LP) caucus in the National Assembly has expressed growing frustration over the perceived inaction of the Anambra State Government regarding the abduction of Hon. Justice Azuka, a member of the state House of Assembly. Hon. Azuka, representing the Onitsha North 1 constituency, was abducted by gunmen on December 24 while travelling to spend Christmas with his family. Despite the passage of nearly a month, there have been no concrete developments on his rescue, leaving his colleagues deeply concerned.

The LP lawmakers, led by Hon. Afam Ogene of the Ogbaru Federal Constituency, have criticised the silence of the state government, accusing it of failing to prioritise the lawmaker’s safe return. They emphasised that this prolonged inaction not only endangers Azuka’s life but also raises concerns about the overall security situation in Anambra State. Hon. Ogene lamented that the state’s insecurity has worsened, turning it into a hotspot for kidnappings and violent crimes.

Hon. Azuka’s abduction comes months after he reclaimed his mandate from a rival in the People’s Democratic Party (PDP) through a tribunal ruling. His disappearance has further spotlighted the increasing insecurity in Anambra, which many residents say has made life unbearable. Ogene called on Governor Chukwuma Soludo to act decisively and intensify efforts to address the lawmaker’s captivity and the general insecurity plaguing the state.

The LP caucus also condemned the silence of Azuka’s colleagues in the Anambra State House of Assembly, urging them to hold the state government accountable for its handling of the incident. According to Ogene, the lawmaker’s disappearance reflects a broader issue of systemic insecurity, with violent crimes becoming the norm rather than the exception in the state. He described the current state of affairs as a crisis that demands immediate attention.

Residents and lawmakers alike have described Anambra as descending into lawlessness, with reports of daily kidnappings, killings, and other violent crimes. Survivors of these incidents have recounted harrowing tales of captivity and violence, underscoring the urgency for improved security measures. The LP lawmakers stressed that restoring safety in the state is essential for both its residents and the government’s credibility.

In their statement, the LP caucus urged the state government to prioritise security reforms and develop a clear action plan to address the lawmaker’s abduction. They emphasised that such incidents erode public trust and diminish confidence in the government’s ability to protect its citizens.