A family has raised alarm over the alleged prolonged detention of a pregnant woman and her two young children by Udogachi operatives in Nnewi, Anambra State, without formal charges or acknowledgement by the police.

The Guardian reports that the police inaugurated ‘Operation Udogachi-Zero Kidnapping in Anambra on April 14 to ensure a safe environment for residents and visitors.

But, according to a petition filed by the family’s legal representatives to the Anambra State Commissioner of Police, CP Ikioye Orutugu, on Friday, Mr. Ikwo Daniel, his pregnant wife, Chinenye Cynthia, and their two children—aged two and four—were reportedly arrested at their residence on Eme Court Road, Umudim Nnewi, in the early hours of May 30, 2025.

The petition alleges that the operatives were armed, did not identify themselves, and offered no explanation for the arrest.

“Sir, it is instructive to note that during the operation, they never introduced themselves as security operatives,” the petition read. “Even more disturbing was their decision to leave the residence with a heavily pregnant woman and two toddlers.”

Following the incident, family members reportedly searched multiple police stations in and around Nnewi, but officers denied any knowledge of the arrest.

“The manner in which what ought to be an arrest took place prompted an immediate search by the family across all police stations within and outside Nnewi,” the petition continued. “However, their efforts yielded no results, with officers describing such an arrest as ‘strange’ and unlikely to be carried out by any responsible law enforcement personnel.”

The family claims that on June 18—nearly three weeks after the arrest—they caught sight of Mrs. Ikwo and the children at the Udogachi office in Agu Awka but were not allowed to speak with them. Mr. Ikwo Daniel was not seen at the facility.

According to the petition, the operatives on duty demanded money for the family’s feeding and instructed the relatives to return the following day, June 19.

The lawyers are now calling on the Anambra State Commissioner of Police to intervene urgently, describing the prolonged detention as a grave threat to the health, safety, and fundamental rights of the detainees.

“Sir, we humbly request that you use your good office to promptly intervene, and that a discreet investigation be launched to uncover the reasons behind the arrest and continued detention of our clients—including a heavily pregnant woman and two toddlers—for over 20 days and counting,” the petition concluded.

As of the time of filing this report, the Udogachi command has not issued an official response to the petition or clarified the status of the detained family. (The Guardian, excluding headline)