The family of Mr. Daniel Ikwo in Nnewi, Anambra State, has petitioned the State Commissioner of Police, Ikioye Orutugu, over the alleged detention of Ikwo, his pregnant wife, Cynthia, and their two young children by operatives of the state-backed vigilante group, Udogachi.
In a petition dated June 20, 2025, and signed by their lawyer, Chijioke Onwe, the family claimed the security team raided Ikwo’s home in the early hours of May 30 and took away the entire family.
They said the family members have been held without clear charges for over 20 days.
According to the petition, the family was finally allowed a brief, distant glimpse of Cynthia and her children—Chizaram (4) and Chidiogo (2)—at the Udogachi command on June 18, but Daniel was not presented.
They returned the next day with legal representatives but were again denied access.
The petition urged the police commissioner to launch an urgent investigation into the matter, warning of the health and human rights risks posed by the prolonged detention of a pregnant woman and two minors.
A relative, Nwali Chinedu, told Sunday PUNCH that the family remains in the dark about the reason behind the arrests.
“They were taken from their home on May 30, and till now, we don’t know what offence they are accused of,” he said.
The petition, seen by our correspondent, bears an official receipt stamp from the police, confirming it was received on June 20.
When contacted, state police spokesperson Tochukwu Ikenga said the matter would be investigated and escalated to Udogachi leadership “if such a case exists in their records.”
Attempts to get a response from the Special Adviser to the Governor on Community Security, Ken Emeakayi, were unsuccessful as he did not respond to calls or messages.
Meanwhile, Commissioner for Information, Law Mefor, simply advised: “Advise such people to go to court.”o