A writer and activist, Nwoba Chika Nwoba, has alleged that police officers stormed his residence in Awka, Anambra State, assaulted members of his family and took his wife away during an operation he believes was linked to his criticism of the Ebonyi State Government.
Nwoba made the allegations in a series of posts published on his Facebook page late Wednesday night and updated on Thursday morning.
In his first post, he said his youngest sister called him at about 7:30 p.m. on Wednesday to report that a large group of police officers had entered the family apartment while he was away.
According to him, the officers allegedly gained access to the apartment through the ceiling and demanded information about his whereabouts.
Nwoba claimed that his wife, younger siblings and other family members were subjected to physical assault during the operation.
“My youngest sister called me this night around 7:30 and told me that over 15 police officers stormed our apartment in Awka and gained access to them through the ceiling, torturing all of them including my wife and telling them to reveal my location,” he wrote.
He further alleged that the officers beat his wife with the butt of a gun and kicked her in the stomach before taking her away to an undisclosed location.
“They beat my wife with butt of gun and kicked her belly. They took her away to an unknown destination up till now,” he added.
Nwoba also claimed that after his wife was taken away, he received a call from individuals using her phone.
According to him, the callers allegedly demanded that he present himself before his wife would be released.
“A few minutes ago, they used my wife’s phone to speak to me, requesting that I must show up before my wife could be released otherwise, they’d kill her,” he stated.
He further alleged that the officers told his younger siblings that they were acting on the instructions of the Governor of Ebonyi State and wanted him “alive or dead.”
In a subsequent post on Thursday morning, Nwoba said his wife was still being held and that those detaining her had refused to disclose their location.
“Up till this moment, they’re still holding my wife hostage. They refused telling me their location. They told me over the phone that if I don’t appear, I should forget about her,” he wrote.
He claimed that 13 of the operatives wore police uniforms while two were in plain clothes, and that one of them was addressed as “CJ.”
Nwoba also alleged that the landlord of the estate later contacted other police officers, who came to the compound and were informed that the group had arrived to carry out an arrest.
He insisted that his wife had committed no offence and should not be detained because of his activities.
“My wife didn’t do anything to them to deserve the treatment they’re giving to her. She cannot be punished on my behalf. No law supports that,” he wrote.
According to him, the operatives allegedly stated during the operation that they were acting because he had been “calling out” the Ebonyi State Government.
Nwoba appealed for his wife’s release, saying she was nursing their baby and had been taken away while preparing food.
“They should release my wife to go look after our baby. This is pettiness. She was cooking food when they struck. She didn’t eat before they took her away,” he said.
A review of Nwoba’s Facebook page shows that he has made several posts critical of policies and actions of the Ebonyi State Government.
As of the time of filing this report, the Nigeria Police Force, the Anambra State Police Command and the Ebonyi State Government had not issued any official response to the allegations.
The claims could not be independently verified, and no formal statement had been released confirming any police operation at the residence or the alleged detention of Nwoba’s wife. The matter has continued to generate reactions on social media, with users calling for clarification from the relevant authorities.
