Family petitions IGP OVER prolonged detention of couple for alleged membership of IPOB

By Praise Chinecherem

The Osuagwu family of Obollo in Isiala Mbano Local Government Area, Imo State, have raised the alarm over prolonged detention of Mr. Peter Osuagwu and his wife, Mrs. Franca Osuagwu by the Anambra State Police Command

The family who claimed the duo was detained since May 30, 2023, apppealed to Inspector General of Police, Mr. Kayode Egbetokun to intervene in the release of their son.

Addressing newsmen in company of the family lawyer, Mr Nnamdi Alokalam, Spokesman of the family, Nze Osuagwu alleged that the detainees were being held on trumped up allegation of being members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

He described the couple as victims of power play with an ex-police officer who lost his job because of indictment to cover an alleged abduction and a rape case against Peter’s daughter.

While disclosing that Peter Osuagwu and his family have lived in Ossomala for over 20 years peacefully, Osuagwu said, “the problem started about one week after Easter in 2020, when his daughter was allegedly abducted and raped by one Chisom Nwadialo, a nephew to Udenze family of Ossomala.

“One former Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), from Udenze’s family worked seriously to defend Nwadialo from police arrest and prosecution in court.

“Peter and his wife ensured that the suspected was arrested and prosecuted in Atani high court where the matter is pending.

“Not happy with Peter’s insistence that his daughters abduction and rape case should not be swept under the carpet, and subsequent arrest and prosecution of Nwadialo, his family became a target of vendetta by the former senior police officer who subsequently arrested him with his wife in Ossomala, Anambra State and took them to his base in Aluu Rivers State.

“Our effort to secure Peter and his wife’s freedom in Aluu, Rivers State was rebuffed by the police, who were allegedly working on instruction of CSP. It was later discovered that Peter and his wife have been taken from Aluu, Rivers State to the Anti Kidnapping Unit in Enugu, Enugu State.

In a petition through his lawyer, Alokalam to the then IGP, Peter said, “A Chief Superintendent of Police (CSP), from Udenze family in Ossomala, tried to use his position to shield the alleged rapist relation from arrest, and equally tried to block the case from going to court, but was outwitted by Osuagwu family who ensure that the suspected abductor and rapist, was arrested and charged to court.

“The arrest of the alleged abductor and rapist, and his subsequent charging to court did not go down well with the CSP who is a Commander of FCIB in Aluu Rivers State, and since then he has been arresting and intimidating Peter and his family members using the police.

“After thorough investigation conducted by Police, the CSP was punished with a demotion from his rank for his alleged unprofessional conduct and he resigned from police force.

“Days after the attack of the US Embassy team in Ogbaru, the CSP allegedly tagged Peter as commander of IPOB who led the attack on the US Embassy team, an allegations which the Osuagwu family described as “a lie from the pit of hell.

“Peter and his wife were subsequent arrested and kept incommunicado by the Police in Anambra State since their arrest, while hoodlums in Ossomala were mobilized to burn their house.

“We therefore appeal to the IGP to ensure that Peter and his wife are released unhurt, …if they committed any offense, they should be charged to court.”

When contacted, Police spokesperson, Tochukwu Ikenga, said he was not aware of the matter.