A Nigerian human rights organisation has formally complained to the Anambra State Commissioner of Police about the alleged arrest and detention of a woman by officers of the Rapid Response Squad in Awkuzu. The group says the woman was held for four days in connection with a police search for her brother, who is wanted over a murder allegation, and was released only after a large sum of money was paid.
In a letter dated 5 September and signed by its executive director, Okechukwu Nwanguma, the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) stated that Ms Nwosu Chikamso Jennifer was arrested on 31 August 2026. According to the organisation, she was not accused of any offence herself but was expected to produce her brother.
RULAAC said Nwosu remained in custody for four days and was released on 3 September after ₦600,000 was paid. The payment was allegedly described as “administrative bail,” though no receipt or acknowledgement was issued. Her mobile phone was also seized and has not been returned, the group added, and no formal seizure documentation was provided.
The investigating officer named in the complaint is Mr Odoh Kingsley of the RRS unit in Awkuzu. Nwosu has been told to report back to the facility on Monday, 7 September 2026. She is reportedly concerned that she may face further detention or additional financial demands.
RULAAC described the case as a possible instance of “arrest by proxy” or “arrest in lieu”, the practice of detaining one person to force the appearance of another. The organisation stated that such action is expressly prohibited under Nigerian law.
“If the claims are substantially correct, the actions complained of would raise grave legal and human-rights concerns,” the group said. “Arresting and detaining a person merely to compel the surrender of a relative amounts to arrest by proxy or arrest in lieu, a practice expressly prohibited by Nigerian law.”
The rights body also raised questions about the length of the detention, noting that holding a person beyond the constitutionally allowed period without bringing them before a court can breach legal safeguards. It stressed that police bail is free under Nigerian law and described the alleged payment of ₦600,000 as particularly troubling.
RULAAC linked the allegations to the history of the Awkuzu facility, which became widely known for serious human-rights complaints during the period when it operated as the Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS). The organisation said the change of name to Rapid Response Squad should have marked a clear break from earlier practices of arbitrary detention, proxy arrests and extortion.
The group has called on the Commissioner of Police to
establish the legal basis for Nwosu’s arrest and four-day detention;
investigate the alleged ₦600,000 payment and determine who demanded or received it, with a view to refunding the money if it was collected unlawfully;
clarify the grounds for seizing and retaining her phone and ensure proper documentation of any property held for investigation;
guarantee that her appearance on 7 September does not lead to further arbitrary detention, intimidation or unlawful demands;
ensure she is not held responsible for producing her brother or punished for his alleged conduct in the absence of evidence against her; and
take disciplinary or other appropriate action against any officer found to have acted outside the law.
RULAAC emphasised that it does not seek to hinder the police investigation into the murder allegation against Nwosu’s brother. “Nothing in this intervention is intended to obstruct any lawful investigation,” the organisation stated. “Our concern is simply that the investigation must be conducted within the bounds of the law and that no citizen should be deprived of liberty or subjected to financial demands merely because the Police are seeking a relative.”
The rights group has urged the Anambra State Police Command to respond to the petition and make public the steps taken to address the allegations.
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