Daughter Defies Odds to Rescue American Returnee Father Held Captive by Siblings in Anambra [VIDEO]

 

A Daughter's Fight for Truth Uncovers Family Betrayal in Anambra

A retired Nigerian-American, Peter Mokwuah, once full of dreams and hope for a peaceful retirement in his hometown, was shockingly discovered imprisoned in his own home by his own kin, according to revelations made by his daughter, Ifunanya Mokwuah. The story, which has captivated and horrified Nigerians both at home and abroad, unfolded in the quiet town of Enugwu Ukwu, Anambra State.

Peter had spent 25 years of his life working in New York, tirelessly building a future not only for himself but for his family. Following his retirement, he returned to Nigeria and settled into the mansion he had constructed in his hometown — a grand three-storey building intended to be a symbol of success and the start of a tranquil new chapter.

What began as a dream home gradually became a house of horror.

Regular communication between Peter and his family in the United States came to a sudden halt, and those close to him, especially his daughter Ifunanya, noticed the silence. Her father, who never went a week without checking in, became unreachable for months. Whenever she tried to contact him, it was her aunt Josephine who answered, weaving different excuses — sometimes claiming Peter was upstairs, other times alleging he had travelled. But Peter himself never came to the phone.

Desperation and anxiety mounted over six long months. Ifunanya described how sleepless nights and unanswered questions pushed her to seek divine intervention. Guided by what she described as the prompting of the Holy Spirit, she took two weeks off from work and booked a flight back to Nigeria in January 2022.

Her journey began in Lagos, but the real confrontation awaited her in Enugwu Ukwu. Upon arrival, a bizarre obstacle greeted her — a heap of construction sand had been deliberately dumped in front of the gate to her father’s mansion, blocking all access. Scaling the sand to knock on the gate, she was met not with warm welcomes, but fierce resistance.

Her uncle, Frances, and aunt, Josephine, emerged, visibly angry and hurling insults. According to Ifunanya, they called her a “prostitute” and demanded she return to the United States, refusing to grant her entry into the compound. She stood her ground, leading to a heated scene that attracted the attention of villagers and local youths.

Once she identified herself as Peter’s first daughter, the tide began to turn. Outraged at what they saw as an affront to tradition and basic human decency, the locals demanded that Ifunanya be allowed into the compound. The elders calmed what could have turned into mob justice, ensuring no harm came to Frances and Josephine.

Inside, she was only granted access to the ground floor. Josephine maintained that Peter was in Abuja and even placed a call to another brother, Christopher, who confirmed the story — albeit suspiciously, saying Peter had just stepped out.

However, something deep within Ifunanya rejected their claims. She insisted her father was upstairs and demanded to see his room. Resistance met her request, but the youth intervened once again and forced the way open.

The scene that unfolded upstairs was heartbreaking.

On a dirty mattress in a poorly lit room lay her father, frail and disheveled. His legs had grown painfully thin, his beard long and tangled, and his nails overgrown. Clearly malnourished and neglected, Peter recognized his daughter immediately. Tears streamed down Ifunanya’s face as she fell to her knees, seeing the man who had once stood strong now brought low by betrayal from his own blood.

Peter had been living on a pension of $5,000 monthly and had multiple vehicles and properties — resources that should have ensured him a comfortable life. Instead, Ifunanya said her father had been isolated, likely for financial control. She revealed she had been sending him money during the period of silence, hoping he simply lacked funds. The reality was more sinister: he had been held captive, starved, and ignored while others likely benefited from his resources.

The story has since ignited conversations about elder abuse, family betrayal, and the dangers faced by returnee diaspora members, especially those perceived as wealthy. The incident is now under investigation, and many are calling for justice for Peter Mokwuah.

As for Ifunanya, her courage, unwavering faith, and determination not only brought light to a dark chapter but also quite literally saved her father’s life.