Victim found in critical condition after spending more than 16 months in confinement as police intensify efforts to locate her missing child.
The Federal Capital Territory (FCT) Police Command has rescued a 36-year-old woman, Ms. Grace Aniekuoku, who was allegedly chained and held in confinement by her brother, Mr. Chinedu Aniekuoko, for over one year and four months.
The rescue followed a distress call received by the Command on May 12, prompting the immediate deployment of detectives from the Katampe Police Division to the scene.
Confirming the incident, the FCT Commissioner of Police, CP Ahmed Sanusi, said officers moved swiftly after receiving the report and proceeded to the location of the alleged abuse.
According to him, the suspect resisted arrest and initially denied the police access to the room where the victim was being held. However, the operatives forced entry into the premises and discovered Ms. Aniekuoku in a chained and severely emaciated condition.
She was also found in extremely poor sanitary conditions, having reportedly been confined for a prolonged period under inhumane circumstances.
The suspect was immediately arrested at the scene, while the victim was rescued and rushed to a hospital, where she is currently receiving medical attention.
Preliminary investigations revealed that the suspect allegedly took away the victim’s son to an unknown location about two years earlier. It was further gathered that the woman’s confinement may have been intended to prevent her from seeking information or raising concerns about the whereabouts of her child.
The FCT Police Command stated that efforts are ongoing to trace and rescue the missing child, while investigations into the incident continue.
The suspect remains in custody and will be charged to court upon the conclusion of investigations.
