Anambra Security Operatives Detains Pregnant Woman, Husband, Two Children

The family of Mr. Daniel Ikwo from Nnewi, Anambra State, has raised alarm over the prolonged detention of Daniel, his pregnant wife Cynthia, and their two young children Chizaram (4) and Chidiogo (2) by operatives of the state-backed security outfit, Udogachi.

In a petition dated June 20, 2025, and addressed to the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, the family expressed deep concern over the whereabouts and wellbeing of their loved ones.

The petition, signed by the family’s lawyer, Chijioke Onwe, alleges that the Ikwo family was forcibly taken from their home in the early hours of May 30, 2025, and has since remained in custody without formal charges or access to legal representation.

Despite multiple attempts to secure their release or at least establish contact, the family said they were only granted a brief, restricted glimpse of Cynthia and the children on June 18 at the Udogachi headquarters. Daniel was not presented at all, and subsequent efforts to revisit the family on June 19 were again rebuffed even with their legal counsel present.

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“We respectfully seek your urgent intervention in this grave matter. Detaining a heavily pregnant woman and her toddlers under unclear circumstances for over 20 days raises serious concerns about human rights violations, health risks, and due process,” the petition reads.

Nwali Chinedu, a relative of the family, told reporters that the family remains in the dark about the reasons for the arrest. “My sister and her family were abducted in the dead of night. We don’t even know what they’re accused of,” he said.

The petition, which bore an official acknowledgment stamp, was confirmed to have been received by the Commissioner of Police’s office on Friday, June 20.

Reacting to the development, the spokesperson for the Anambra State Police Command, Tochukwu Ikenga, promised swift action. “I will forward the matter to Udogachi leadership for clarification if this case is in their custody,” he said.

Efforts to get an official explanation from Ken Emeakayi, Special Adviser to Governor Charles Soludo on Community Security, proved futile as he did not respond to calls or messages.

Meanwhile, the state’s Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, when approached for comments, simply advised: “Let them go to court.”

The case has sparked growing public concern over the unchecked powers of state security outfits and the possible erosion of civil liberties in the name of community protection.