RULAAC raises alarm over disappearance of lady arrested in place of fleeing brother

The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre, RULAAC, has raised the alarm over the disappearance of one Ms. Nwosu Chikamso Jennifer, who was arrested by operatives of Rapid Response Squad, RRS, Awkuzu, Anambra State, formerly known as SARS.

Ms. Nwosu was said to have been arrested after her brother fled to avoid arrest on charges of crime. She later alleged to have been granted bail to the tune of N600,000.

Though the Anambra State Police Command had denied admitting her to bail for that sum, Mr Okechukwu Nwanguma, the Executive Director of RULAAC, a human rights group, insisted that he had a written evidence of Nwosu stating that she made the payment before she was freed.

But in a fresh turn of events, the rights group in a statement signed by Nwanguma is alleging that the lady has disappeared after informing it that she planned to return to the police station as requested by the investigating police officer.

The statement said: “She (Nwosu) informed RULAAC that she had been directed to report back to RRS Awkuzu on Monday, 7 September 2026. She expressed fear that she might be detained again or subjected to further demands for money and requested RULAAC’s intervention. She stated that she would attend the station with her lawyer and promised to update RULAAC immediately afterwards.

“Since then, RULAAC has been unable to reach her. Her telephone has remained unreachable despite repeated attempts to contact her.

“This became particularly concerning following telephone communications RULAAC received from the commissioner who stated in substance that Ms. Nwosu had “betrayed” the police by reporting the matter to RULAAC.”

RULAAC urged the Anambra  State Police Command to immediately clarify the status of the matter and the whereabouts of the lady and also guarantee that she will suffer no reprisal whatsoever for approaching the group or any other organisation for assistance.

“If she is in police custody, she must be afforded all constitutional and statutory safeguards, including access to counsel and family, and must either be released or brought promptly before a competent court in accordance with law.

“RULAAC will escalate this matter to the appropriate police oversight and human-rights authorities if Ms. Nwosu’s whereabouts and legal status are not promptly clarified.

“The police have a legitimate responsibility to investigate the serious allegations reportedly involving her brother. But the seriousness of an offence under investigation cannot justify abandoning the rule of law. No person should become a substitute suspect, hostage or bargaining instrument for the apprehension of another,” the group stated.

As at the time of filing this report, the Public Relations Officer of the Anambra State Police Command, SP Tochukwu Ikenga, was yet to respond to enquiries concerning the matter.