…As Catholic Priest is Abducted
Tears flowed in Onitsha yesterday as the remains of Justice Azuka, the murdered member of the Anambra State House of Assembly representing Onitsha North 1 Constituency, were laid to rest in his hometown, Ogbeoza Village, Onitsha.
His burial comes amid fresh concerns over security following the kidnapping of a Catholic priest, Rev. Fr. Jude Onyeka, on Thursday.
Azuka was abducted on December 24, 2024. His captors did not release him alive but were eventually arrested and led security agencies to recover his decomposing body in a swamp near the Second Niger Bridge.
During a burial Mass at St. Mary’s Catholic Church, Inland Town, Onitsha, officiated by Rev. Fr. Prudentus Aroh—who represented Archbishop Valerian Okeke—the homilist, Rev. Fr. John Bosco Okafor, lamented the erosion of the sacredness of life in society. He decried the growing disregard for human life, urging the youth to abandon violence and embrace hard work instead of the pursuit of quick wealth.
“God created man in His image, and only He has the power to take life. Sadly, many of our youth have lost this understanding, treating human lives as disposable,” he said.
He also called on the government to intensify efforts to secure lives and property, emphasizing that security is a collective responsibility.
Governor Chukwuma Soludo, in his remarks, described Azuka’s death as a significant loss to the state. He revealed that they had been working on strategic partnerships before the tragic event.
“This was a promising young man whose dreams were cut short. Anambra State mourns with you, and we will take steps to ease this grief. Thankfully, his killers have been apprehended, and justice will be served,” Soludo stated.
He condemned the growing violence in the region, blaming it on unchecked criminal activities. He vowed to rid Anambra of criminal elements, including those fueling ritual killings and fraudulent wealth-seeking schemes.
The burial was attended by state and national lawmakers, as well as Labour Party leaders, including former governor Peter Obi and Obidient Movement National Coordinator Yunusa Tanko.
Meanwhile, another abduction has rocked the Onitsha Archdiocese, as Rev. Fr. Marshal, a former parish priest at St. Edmund Catholic Church, Nkpor, was kidnapped shortly after being transferred to St. Dominic Catholic Church, Abatete, Idemili North LGA.
Rev. Fr. Prudentus Aroh, Chancellor of the Catholic Archdiocese of Onitsha, confirmed the abduction, stating that it occurred on the evening of February 13, 2025, along the Building Material-Ugwunwasike Bypass, Ogidi.
As of now, the kidnappers have not made contact.
“His Grace, Archbishop Valerian Okeke, urges us to pray for Fr. Jude’s safe and swift release. May the Blessed Virgin Mary intercede for him,” Aroh stated.
When contacted, Anambra State Police Command spokesperson SP Ikenga Toochi said the incident had not yet been officially reported.
