By ODIMEGWU ONWUMERE

Few days ago, there was a statement credited to Governor Charles Chukwuma Soludo reportedly saying that anyone associated with Oke ite or something in his security custody who can disappear from the gulag will be pardoned and treated with reverence henceforth.

Yesterday morning (Wednesday, February 19, 2025), the news of two suspects fingered in the detestable kidnap and maiming of Hon. Justice Azuka of Onitsha One State Constituency was all over that they have escaped (or, is it, disappeared from/in the hands of police?) Where else could this happen if not in Nigeria?

Hon. Justice Azuka of Onitsha One State Constituency was a man of no low profile and if his assailants can “disappear” from the security custody, does this not challenge anyone to think the baked approach in handling matters of that kind in Nigeria? Imagine how many suspects, perhaps, that have been on the run from the government authorities, Nigerians were not meant to hear.

The Anambra Speaker, Hon. Somtochukwu Udeze making a statement for the re-arrest of the runaways, is one of the often statements that follow such a dastardly scenario that ends with no positive result, after.

It was reported that the escape development was confirmed by the State Police Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, who was not wearing shame to say that the suspects took to "Ben Johnson” when the police took them to recover items such as vehicles used in their underworld activities.

While the Speaker talked about what he described as “commendable efforts of the police in handling the investigation,” the truth is that all those concerned in handling the matter should be relieved of their jobs and sent to the gulag for proper scrutiny.

Both the Anambra State Commissioner of Police should resign and be questioned. While Soludo was busy chasing Oke ite, he can see the height of shame his security operatives do not have. Yet, the Speaker, said, “The position of the State Legislature is clear: the fleeing suspects must be tracked and apprehended at all costs.”

Where is their “position clear?” This reminds Nigerians that former President Goodluck Jonathan in his efforts to curb Boko Haram later realized that Boko Haram sympathizers were in his cabinet.

The Insecurity in Nigeria, especially, in Anambra State, was not started by Ndi-Dibia (and will never be about Ndi-Dibia) that Soludo doesn’t want to hear them mentioned but apparently those in government authorities who are lazy to duty in a high profile case of the kidnap and maiming of a serving House of Assembly Member.

What a shame!

•Odimegwu Onwumere is Chairman, Advocacy Network On Religious And Cultural Coexistence (ANORACC).