Amnesty International has renewed calls for urgent action over the unresolved disappearance of Ikechukwu Henry, a father of one who was allegedly abducted by security operatives in Enugu more than four years ago.

In a statement on Monday, the human rights organisation said Henry, originally from Orlu in Imo State, was taken from his home in Enugu’s Garki area on August 23, 2021, at around 2:00 a.m. He was reportedly arrested over allegations of belonging to the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). He has not been seen since.

According to Amnesty International, Henry’s prolonged disappearance raises serious concerns about unlawful detention and possible enforced disappearance.

His 27-year-old wife recounted the traumatic events of that night, describing how 10 to 15 men in military uniforms stormed their residence while she was awake breastfeeding their three-month-old baby.

“They invaded our compound at about 2:00 a.m. They started knocking on our door,” she said. Frightened by the persistent knocks, she opened the door to find armed men surrounding the home.

“They dragged me out and asked, ‘Where is Henry?’ Before I could answer, they pushed me aside and entered the house. He was asleep,” she said.

She said the operatives immediately assaulted her husband.
“They dragged my husband outside and were slapping him. I shouted in shock. They warned me that if I shouted again, they would beat me.”

She was then ordered to get dressed to accompany them to the station. Despite finding nothing incriminating in their home, the operatives bundled the couple and their infant into a Hilux vehicle and drove them to the Nigerian Army 82 Division in Enugu.

The family arrived around 4:00 a.m. and were kept in the guardroom until morning. She said they were later interrogated, with officers questioning her about her husband’s occupation.
“I told them he is a caterer; he cooks for people during ceremonies,” she explained.

Three days later, when she attempted to visit Henry again, she was told he was no longer at the facility.
“They said he had been transferred to Abuja. When I asked where in Abuja, they refused to tell me,” she said.

Since then, she has received no information about his fate or whereabouts.
“Since 23 August 2021, when my husband was abducted, I have not seen him. We have been searching for him everywhere,” she said.

Amnesty International has called on Nigerian authorities to investigate Henry’s disappearance, disclose his location, and end the practice of secret arrests and detentions.