Detained Without Charges, Family of Four Including Pregnant Woman Held by Anambra Security Operatives Sparks Outrage

 

The family of Mr. Daniel Ikwo in Nnewi, Anambra State, is crying out for justice after his continued detention, along with that of his pregnant wife and two toddlers, by operatives of the state-backed security outfit known as Udogachi.

A petition, dated June 20, 2025, was submitted to the State Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu. In it, the family, through their legal counsel Chijioke Onwe, described the arrest and ongoing confinement as unlawful and deeply troubling, especially considering the health and well-being of the detained children and their expectant mother.

Eyewitnesses and relatives say that on May 30, 2025, at dawn, Udogachi operatives forcefully entered the Ikwo residence and took the entire family into custody. Since then, no official explanation has been provided, and all efforts by the family to secure their release or understand the rationale for the arrests have proven fruitless.

Mr. Ikwo’s wife, Cynthia, who is heavily pregnant, was reportedly detained alongside her two young children, Chizaram, aged four, and Chidiogo, aged two. The family recounts the pain of not seeing them for several weeks until June 18, when they were finally granted a brief and highly restricted visitation.

Relatives allege they were shown Cynthia and her children at the Udogachi command center, but could not make physical contact or communicate meaningfully with them. Mr. Ikwo himself was not brought out at all, adding to their concerns that his condition or whereabouts may be unknown.

A follow-up visit was scheduled by the security operatives for June 19, during which the family returned with their legal representatives. However, they were again denied access to all four detainees, prompting a heightened sense of worry and helplessness.

The legal petition describes the continued detention as a clear violation of the detainees’ constitutional rights. It calls on the Commissioner of Police to conduct a discreet but thorough investigation, especially since a pregnant woman and her toddlers are involved.

“We are writing to urgently request your intervention regarding the detention of our clients,” the letter reads. “Their continued confinement poses serious risks to their health, safety and basic human rights. We respectfully urge your office to investigate this matter immediately and ensure their safe release.”

The family argues that the absence of a warrant, a known charge, or access to legal representation over the course of more than 20 days makes the matter especially alarming. According to them, the lack of transparency hints at possible abuse of power by the state-backed vigilante group.

Speaking to Sunday PUNCH, Nwali Chinedu, a brother to Cynthia, voiced deep frustration over the mystery surrounding the case. “The woman is my sister, and they were abducted from their home on May 30,” he said. “Up till now, we do not know what offence our sister or her husband committed that would justify the abduction of the entire family, including a four-year-old daughter and her younger sibling.”

A copy of the petition bearing the official stamp of receipt from the Commissioner’s office on June 20 was seen by our correspondent. While the stamp indicates formal acknowledgement, no substantial update had been given as of press time.

When contacted, the State Police Public Relations Officer, Tochukwu Ikenga, expressed concern and promised to follow up swiftly. “Thank you for this information,” he said. “I will escalate it to the leadership of Udogachi for necessary action if such a case exists in their records.”

Efforts to get a direct response from the state government hit a wall. Calls and messages to Ken Emeakayi, the Special Adviser to Governor Chukwuma Soludo on Community Security, went unanswered.

Meanwhile, Law Mefor, the State Commissioner for Information, offered a terse reply when asked about the issue. “Advise such people to go to court,” he said.

The response, though official, did little to ease the anguish of the family who remain desperate for answers. Human rights groups have begun to show interest in the matter, suggesting that such a case, if verified, could point to a wider issue of unchecked power among local security outfits.

For now, the Ikwo family continues to wait, holding on to hope that justice will prevail and their loved ones will return home safely.