The family’s ordeal began on April 12, 2025, when armed police officers stormed their residence in Alaukwu Village, Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area, Abia State.
The Abia State Police Command has allegedly linked Mr. Chikadibia Sunday, a local shoemaker, and his three children to cases of terrorism, murder, and kidnapping by non-state actors.
Police have come under fire for the prolonged and secretive detention of Mr. Sunday and his children, who have reportedly been held incommunicado for over three weeks without formal charges, legal representation, or access to family members.
The family’s ordeal began on April 12, 2025, when armed police officers stormed their residence in Alaukwu Village, Osisioma Ngwa Local Government Area, Abia State.
According to the eldest daughter, Mrs. Chikezie Ifeoma Lilian, the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Abia State Police broke down doors, conducted a search without presenting a warrant, and arrested her father and two siblings — Ngozi and Ogechi — who were home for the Easter holiday.
“They didn’t tell us what the problem was. They broke almost all the doors and took away some of our properties and cash. My father kept asking what was wrong, but they said nothing,” Lilian told reporters.
Shortly after the raid, the family discovered that another daughter, Glory, had already been arrested after being lured from her shop at Umuoduma Junction. For weeks, the family searched various police stations in Umuahia but received no information or confirmation about their whereabouts.
Eventually, a police officer informally confirmed that the four family members were being held at the Anti-Kidnapping Unit MOPOL Base in Umuahia. However, their names were not listed among detained suspects, and the police continued to deny that they were in custody.
Despite this, three recently released detainees from the same facility confirmed seeing Mr. Sunday and his daughters held in separate cells. According to Lilian, her aunt briefly spoke with Mr. Sunday, who revealed that they were suffering from hunger and had still not been informed of any charges.
The family has been sending money to a police officer for their feeding, further raising questions about the legality of the detention.
“We just want to know what crime they committed,” Lilian pleaded. “We are worried about their health and safety. It’s been three weeks now, and no one has told us anything.”
According to the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), while responding to inquiries, the Abia State Police Public Relations Officer, Maureen Chinaka, said all the suspects were arrested over capital and non-bailable offences, noting that discreet investigations were ongoing.
“Regarding this matter, the suspects are allegedly linked to a case of terrorism, murder, and kidnapping by non-state actors, all of which are capital and non-bailable offences. However, discreet investigation is still ongoing, and the public will be updated,” she was quoted as saying.
Reacting to the development, Okechukwu Nwanguma, RULAAC Executive Director, condemned the police’s handling of the case.
“Does that justify their refusal to inform the family members of these allegations and even denying holding them in the first place? Why have they detained them incommunicado and denied them access to family and legal representation?” he asked.
“This may, after all, be an afterthought following the publicity given to the matter. So when are they producing them in court if they have evidence? They even denied holding them in the first place,” Nwanguma said.
Efforts made to reach the state police command spokesperson, Maureen Chinaka, on her mobile lines failed.
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