Fidelia Soriwei, Abuja
The Federal Capital Territory Police Command has arrested a man for allegedly confining his sister in chains inside a locked room for more than 16 months in Abuja.
FCT Commissioner of Police, Ahmed Sanusi, disclosed the incident while briefing journalists on Monday, describing it as one of the most disturbing cases encountered by officers in recent times.
According to the police, a distress report received on June 12 alleged that 36-year-old Grace Aniekuoku was being held captive by her brother, Chinedu Aniekuoku.
Sanusi said detectives from the Katampe Division were immediately deployed to the residence. However, the suspect allegedly refused officers access to the premises, prompting the police to invoke their legal powers to gain entry.
“I ordered that they should invoke the police powers of ingress and liberation to gain access into the premises. What that power gives the police is this: if you want to go into a place for a lawful duty and you are restricted, you can break in and do your duty,” he said.
The police commissioner said officers discovered the victim in a severely deteriorated condition.
“The victim was seen in a highly dehumanising condition, where she had stayed for this long in her own faeces and excreta. She eats there, defecates there, nobody cleans it, nobody cares about her welfare. Her hair was so grown, like a forest. She became so emaciated that a camera stand is thicker than her neck,” Sanusi stated.
He said the woman was immediately taken to hospital for treatment and remains under medical care.
Investigations, according to the police, suggest the suspect had taken away the victim’s son about two years ago and subsequently confined her to prevent questions about the child’s whereabouts.
“The suspect had forcibly taken away the victim’s son to an unknown location about two years ago and subsequently kept his sister in confinement to prevent her from raising any questions regarding the whereabouts of the child, who may have been used for sacrifice,” the commissioner said.
Police said efforts were underway to locate the missing child, while the suspect remains in custody and will be charged to court after investigations are concluded.
