By Admin
A petition filed by the law firm Jack Iyioku & Co. has called on the Commissioner of Police in Anambra State to urgently intervene in the alleged secret detention of a heavily pregnant woman, her husband, and their two underage children.
The detention was alleged to be carried out by operatives believed to be affiliated with the Udogachi Command in Awka.
According to the petition, dated 20th June 2025 and obtained by the Guild on Friday , the individuals in question Ikwo Daniel, his wife Ikwo Chinenye Cynthia, their two children, Ikwo Chizaram (4 years) and Ikwo Chidiogo (2 years) were reportedly abducted in the early hours of May 30, 2025, from their residence at Eme Court Road, Umudim Nnewi.
The letter, addressed to the Commissioner of Police recounts that armed men stormed the family’s home around dawn and conducted a forceful operation lasting over 30 minutes.
The operatives, who were allegedly heavily armed, did not identify themselves as law enforcement personnel and left with the entire family including Ikwo, who is said to be heavily pregnant, and the two toddlers.
“The operation was shrouded in secrecy,” the petition states. “They did not introduce themselves or provide any legal reason for the arrest. The presence of a pregnant woman and two toddlers makes the action not just illegal but inhumane.”-It reads.
Following the incident, the family’s relatives reportedly began an immediate search, checking multiple police stations in and around Nnewi, but were met with repeated denials. According to the petition, police authorities denied knowledge of the arrest, describing the manner of the operation as “strange” and inconsistent with the lawful conduct expected of security agencies.
The search later led the relatives to the Udogachi Command Headquarters, also known as Lion House, located in Agu Awka, Awka. There, on June 18, the relatives claimed to have seen Ikwo and the two children within the premises, but were denied direct access.
According to the letter, money was reportedly demanded and handed over to operatives at the facility for the family’s feeding, and the visitors were instructed to return the next day.
However, when a lawyer from the chambers of Jack Iyioku & Co. returned on June 19 in the company of the relatives, access to the detained family was again denied, raising further concerns about the legality of the ongoing detention and the condition of the detainees especially the pregnant woman and young children.
“We are writing to urgently request your intervention regarding the detention of our clients as their continued confinement poses serious risks to their health, safety, and basic human rights.
“No formal charges have been communicated, and this unlawful detention has lasted over 20 days, which is a gross violation of their constitutional rights.”-The petition emphasised.
The petition further requests that a discreet investigation be launched to ascertain the reasons behind the arrest, the legal status of the detaining authority, and the welfare condition of the detainees.
It emphasizes that the continued detention of a pregnant woman and minors without formal notification, access to legal counsel, or medical evaluation amounts to a breach of both Nigerian law and international human rights protocols.
At the time of filing this report, there is no official comments from the Udogachi Command or the Anambra State Police Public Relations Officer.
