Man, Pregnant Wife, Two Minors Detained Without Charges In Anambra
A special intervention force in Anambra State, Operation Udogachi, has been accused of arresting and detaining a man, his heavily pregnant wife, and their two children, who are two and four years old, respectively.
According to a petition filed by the family’s lawyers, Jack Iyioku & Co., with the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, armed men, identified as Udogachi operatives, raided the family’s residence in Eme Court Road, Umudim Nnewi, on May 30, 2025.
The petition, seen by THE WHISTLER, alleged that the operatives, who had failed to identify themselves as security agents, abducted the entire family, Daniel Ikwo, his pregnant wife, Chinenye Ikwo, and his two young children, Chizaram and Chidiogo, aged two and four.
“Following the manner in what ought to be an arrest took place, the family started immediate search to all the police stations within and outside Nnewi.
“However, their search yielded no result as police always informed that such an arrest is strange and no reasonable police officer on lawful duty will arrest a heavily pregnant woman and her two toddlers of that age, that is, even if their father had committed any offense of whatever magnitude,” the petition said.
It noted that on June 18, 2025, the family located the pregnant woman and the two children at the Udogachi Command in Agu Awka, Awka.
“They exchanged greetings but were not allowed to go close to them while Mr. lkwo Daniel was not sighted. However, the relatives gave the Udogachi operatives on duty some money for their feeding as demanded by them and were directed to come back on the 19/6/2025.
“On the 19/6/2025, a lawyer from our chambers was there in the company of our clients’ relatives but was denied access to meet our clients,” it stated.
The family urged the Commissioner of Police to immediately intervene and investigate the matter to ensure the release of the family, who have been detained for over one month.
Speaking to THE WHISTLER on Sunday, the lawyer Chijioke Onwe, Ogeh, expressed sadness that he has been unable to meet with his clients, who are natives of Ebonyi State.
The Lawyer expressed concerns about the legality of the detention and the welfare of the family, particularly the pregnant woman and the young children.
“The Udogachi has no legal right to detain our clients,” the lawyer said. “We are weighing all the legal remedies available and will take every legal step to see to their release as soon as possible.”
Ogeh emphasised that while security operatives have the right to effect an arrest, they should hand over suspects to the police for prosecution.
When The WHISTLER contacted the Anambra State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, he stated that he was unaware of the case and asked the victim’s relatives to see him.
“Let the victim’s relatives see me because I don’t have any such information before me,” he said.
Man, Pregnant Wife, Two Minors Detained Without Charges In Anambra is first published on The Whistler Newspaper
