By Okey Maduforo Awka
Family of Chief Onyemazu Ngini of Isuanaocha community in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra state has raised alarm over what it described as unlawful arrest and detention of their father by a popular security operative in the state.
The family said their father, the Youth Leader of the community, who was last seen on Thursday after he was lured through a phone call had been in detention since then with no substantial reason for his arrest.
Speaking to reporters on to the detainee, Chisom expressed worry over the lingering detention of the father, alleging plans to poison him in the facility.
He said, “On Thursday last week, he told us he received a call and he was going to answer him. Anytime he’s leaving the house, he usually tells us where he’s going. That has been his culture.
“That was around 11am. At about 4pm, the next thing we heard was that he was detained. The following day, we were told he was accused of land grabbing.
“They said a woman accused him of taking her land from her. I’m sure my father can’t collect land from anyone, instead he will even give his own to people.
“They even linked him with kidnapping and involvement with unknown gunmen.
As the son, I don’t know about those allegations.”
The son further said they got to know about the series of allegations from their lawyer who they engaged his services.
“It was the lawyer we sent that has been furnishing us with all these information, including the allegations in the petition.
“My father was a mechanic before he resigned to become the youth leader of the community. He’s been in detention for a week now.
“I’m suspecting certain persons in the community to be behind the detention. We also heard that they are seeking approval from Abuja to move him there where they plan poisoning him.”
On his part, the wife, Caroline dismissed the allegations against her husband as false, calling for his immediate release.
She however said the arrest might not be unconnected to disagreement he had with leadership of the community, which led to his (husband) removal from office.
“I knew my husband since 1994 and I know what he can do. All the allegations against him are false. I want my husband to be released. I also want the government to order an investigation into the activities of the security apparatus.
