By Ikeugonna Eleke
The escape of two suspects connected to the kidnap and eventual killing of the member representing Onitsha North 1 State Constituency, Hon Justice Azuka, has claimed its first casualty.
A source told Fides that the Commander of the Rapid Response Squad, Awkuzu, CSP Ifeanyi Iburu, whose men led the suspects out before their escape, has been removed.
There has been outrage over the escape of the suspects, with many Anambra indigenes alleging that money must have exchanged hands for the suspects to have escaped.
The source said the new Commissioner of Police in Anambra State, CP Ikioye Orutugu, was forced to act after the State Governor made a call to him, expressing bitterness over the handling of the matter.
‘After that first baptism of fire which the Governor gave the CP, he was forced to remove Iburu,’ the source said.
The CP had also explained extensively to journalists the circumstances surrounding the escape of the suspects, insisting that there was no underhand dealings in the escape
Meanwhile, Orutugu on Friday, February 21, conducted Governor Soludo on a facility assessment tour of the Rapid Response Squad (RRS) Formation in Akwuzu.
A press release by the State Police Command’s spokesperson, SP Tochukwu Ikenga said, ‘During the visit, CP Orutugu briefed the Governor on the operational readiness of the Command, particularly in its efforts to re-arrest the fleeing suspects involved in the heinous murder of Hon. Azuka.
‘The visit is geared towards reforming the facility, and as part of these reforms, the Commissioner of Police has commenced the reorganisation of the RRS unit, including the systematic interviewing of suspects in custody.
‘This initiative aims to ensure proper accountability, uphold transparency, and reinforce the credibility of police investigations, thereby enhancing public trust in the criminal justice process.
‘The reorganisation of the Rapid Response Squad is designed to improve the unit’s operational effectiveness in crime prevention and law enforcement.’
