[PHOTOS] Abuja Police Detain Woman And 3 Children After Leaving Marriage Following Husband’s Petition, Family Alleges Abuse Of Power

 

A businessman identified as Chukwudi Christopher Ike has allegedly secured the detention of his wife and three young children in Abuja after she left their marriage, insisting she no longer wants the union.

According to the relative who spoke to the newsmen on late Wednesday evening, the woman, whose name is Adaeze Gift Echendu Ike, had travelled from Enugu to Abuja earlier in the day to stay with her cousin after walking out of her marriage.

But upon arrival, she was allegedly intercepted by individuals claiming to be “Airport Crime Watch” operatives.

“She called me in the morning to say she was coming to Abuja,” the cousin said.

“I sent a driver to pick her up, but before he got there, she said she had already been taken by people who introduced themselves as Airport Crime Watch. She also recognized a man standing beside her; her husband’s friend. She saw that same man at the Enugu airport before boarding.”

The flight landed around 11 a.m., yet she was reportedly kept at the airport until 2 p.m. before being moved to what appeared to be the Airport Police Division.

When the family contacted a lawyer and attempted to secure her release, police officers said her husband had submitted a petition accusing her of stealing $500 and land documents, and claiming she was on her way to the Philippines with their children.

The family members say she categorically denied the allegations.

“She said she only left because she is tired of the marriage. That’s all,” the cousin stated.

Attempts by lawyers to process her bail reportedly hit a brick wall. The Divisional Police Officer (DPO) reportedly informed the family that he needed clearance from the Commissioner of Police, who is said to be a friend of the husband.

“The CP insisted she must sleep in the station,” the source said.

Her three children, aged five, four, and one year six months, were also detained with her, despite the youngest reportedly falling ill during the ordeal.

They were eventually allowed to leave temporarily for medical checks at the Air Force Base Hospital on Air Force Road. Doctors reportedly said her vitals were unstable at first but later stabilized, a condition family members attribute to stress.

Still, the refusal to release her continued.

“Her husband’s friend is here insisting she must sleep in the station,” the cousin added.

“Even when the DPO suggested she could stay in a hotel near the station and that the husband would pay, they still refused. They said she might ‘run away’ and they would need extra officers to guard her.”

The family source expressed frustration over what he described as the weaponisation of police power in a private marital dispute.

“I don’t like getting involved in marital issues, but she has done nothing wrong. She is simply walking away from the marriage. Nigerian men know how easy it is to write a petition claiming a wife stole something just to keep her under control.”

Meanwhile, the husband, Chukwudi Ike, is said to be posting loving messages online, declaring concern for his wife’s safety even as police continue holding her on his instruction.

“She says she no longer wants the marriage; that is the real issue,” the family member stressed.

It was also gathered that when the newsmen contacted Chukwudi, he said, "Are you married? Hello? Are you married? Okay, if your wife left the house without informing you, what would you do? I’m asking you as a journalist.

“I’m asking you: if your wife leaves your house without your knowledge around 2 a.m. or 3 a.m., with her kids, without telling you anything, won’t you look for her?

“That is exactly what happened. I was looking for them. And I eventually found them.

“If she wants to leave the marriage because she is no longer in love with me, no problem. I’m not disputing that.

“But let’s discuss it properly. I’m coming there tomorrow. Is that why you’re asking if I got her arrested? Yes, because I was looking for her.”

“Did anybody tell you I was beating her or doing anything to her? I just asked you a question and you didn’t answer it. If your wife left your house at 3 a.m., what would you do? Wouldn’t you look for her, especially when she left with three kids? Let’s be honest in this country," he added.