They alleged that both Peter, a fish farmer, residing in Ossomala in Ogbaru Local Government Area of Anambra State and his wife, a traditional birth attendant in the community, are members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra.
Narrating their ordeals to journalists in Onitsha, on Thursday, the spokesman for the family, Nze Osuagwu, along with the family lawyer, Mr Nnamdi Alokalam, said, contrary to the allegations, both husband and wife are not members of IPOB, but were arrested simply because of “power play” and “intrigues” by an ex-police officer(name withheld) in the community.
Osuagwu said, “Our son, Peter and his wife have been living in Ossomala for over 20 years without any problem with anybody, until sometime around April 2020, when his daughter was allegedly abducted and raped by one Chisom Nwadialo, a nephew to one ex-police officer in the community.
“The ex-police officer tried unsuccessfully to prevent the arrest and prosecution of Nwadialo in court, but Peter and his wife insisted that the suspect should be arrested and prosecuted in court. Although the matter is pending at the Atani High Court.
‘Not happy with Peter’s insistence to pursue the case of his daughter’s abduction and rape, the ex-police officer, connived with the police and arrested both husband and his wife in Ossanala, Anambra State, on May 30, 2023, labelled them IPOB members and took them to unknown location till date.
“After their arrest over alleged membership of IPOB, some hoodlums in Ossomala were mobilised by the ex-police officer to burn their house after Peter and his wife were taken away by the police.
“Since May 30, 2023, they were arrested till date, nobody from the Osuagwu family or relations knows their whereabouts. We have searched the whole police stations and formations in the state; we have gone to the DSS, and Navy, (but) they claimed ignorance of the whereabouts of the couple.
“We, therefore, appeal to the Inspector-General of Police, Kayode Egbetokun, to prevail on the Anambra State Police Command to release our son, Mr. Peter Osuagwu and his wife, Mrs Franca Osuagwu, who have been detained by the command and remained incommunicado since May 30, 2023.
“We want to tell the world that our family does not get involved in IPOB activities. We are a hardworking family. Peter has been a very hardworking man, very progressive and respectful to people, and decent in everything he does.
“He has legitimate businesses and means of income. He is never a troublemaker and has never fought with anybody in Ossomala or other nearby communities where he does his fish pond business. Peter is popular in that community and participates in community activities.
“The question in the mouth of everybody that knows Peter is how come all of a sudden since 2020 when he had issues with the ex-police officer’s family over the abduction and rape of his daughter and his refusal to allow the matter to be swept under the carpet, he has turned to a criminal and IPOB commander.
“Peter is not a member of IPOB, let alone being their commander in Ogbaru, and does not have any relationship whatsoever with IPOB.
“Peter and his wife have the right of access to their lawyers and doctors, we learnt that they sustained serious injuries during the course of their arrest and ordeals in the hands of the police, they therefore need the attention of their doctors. And if the police have any case against them, they should be charged in court not keeping them incommunicado.
“We are therefore appealing to the IGP to ensure that Peter and his wife are released unhurt. And if they committed any offence, they should be charged to court to answer any case against them.”
However, when contacted on reactions to the development, the spokesman for the Anambra State Police Command, simply said, “I am not aware of the incident”, adding that he would check the records and get back.
