Juliana Francis
Shock and outrage have greeted the immediate release of one Mr Chibuike Duru, aka Nwangbenta, accused of operating an illegal private detention facility in Imo State, where two individuals were allegedly tortured to death.
Eyewitnesses reported seeing the suspect confidently swaggering out of the police station just moments after his initial arrest.
The suspect was arrested on Thursday following a series of complaints from community members and human rights groups.
Ironically, while people were still jubilant and celebrating his arrest, information filtered out that he was sauntering out of the police station like a king of the division.
His release has naturally caused human rights groups to question the reason for his immediate release.
According to security sources, Duru was allegedly released following the intervention of a local government chairman.
According to the Nigerian Observatory for Human Rights (NOHR), which has been following the activities of Duru, “The commissioner met with all Duru’s victims, including the family of the woman whose son he killed and set on fire. He was so angered by the atrocities that he ordered Duru’s detention immediately.”
Duru’s arrest followed months of investigation and advocacy by NOHR, which documented a pattern of killings, illegal detention, torture, and extortion carried out under the cover of community security in Egwedu Autonomous Community, Atta, Njaba Local Government Area.
NOHR’s investigation found that Duru, a former commander within a pro-Biafra separatist armed group who reportedly struck a deal with government-backed militia Ebubeagu upon returning to the community, has effectively established a parallel justice system acting as judge, jury, and executioner in the absence of formal police presence.
He was said to openly operate, wielding AK-47 rifles and presiding over civil matters, acting as both judge and jury. It was also heard that his verdicts are enforced via the use of force.
NOHR’s findings revealed that a human cage was built at Duru’s residence, where he reportedly detains perceived suspects or anyone who crosses him.
Bail demands range from ₦300,000 to ₦1 million, with families charged ₦5,000 each time they bring food to detained relatives.
At least two young men have been killed in recent months.
On November 30, 2025, Chiedozie Awalie, 37, of Ubaokoro, Atta, was allegedly arrested in broad daylight in front of his father’s compound.
He was subsequently killed and his corpse set ablaze. His father, Mr Tobias Awalie, has been identified as a witness.
On January 27, 2026, Ifeanyi Nnadiemere, 25, died in Duru’s custody after being detained for allegedly transferring money from his mother’s bank account without her consent.
NOHR has reviewed photographs and video footage documenting injuries sustained by Nnadiemere consistent with severe torture.
In a separate case, Chinonso Moses Ejiofor was held in the cage for approximately 10 days, from January 17 to 26, 2026. He was released only after a human rights lawyer intervened.
Upon his release, Duru reportedly warned him that his mother would “surely lose her son” if he spoke about his ordeal.
Chinonso told NOHR that, at the time of his detention, at least eight other individuals were being held in the cage.
Sources told NOHR that after NOHR’s initial reporting exposed his operations, Duru relocated his activities to Njaba LGA headquarters, where he continued operating as an official vigilante under what many described as the protection of the local government chairman.
Before the arrest, the law firm of J.U. Ijeoma & Associates, signed by Chubby Ikechukwu Obianyo, Esq., had petitioned the Nigeria Police Force and the National Human Rights Commission, demanding the immediate arrest, investigation, and prosecution of Duru and his gang.
“The matter must be nipped in the bud before another gang of vicious terrorists that has emerged in Imo State takes firm root and becomes a harder nut to crack,” the petition warned, describing a community that has been “enveloped with fear” for more than a year. “The kind of things one sees in horror movies are playing out in our client’s community with sickening impunity.”
Human rights lawyer Justus Ijeoma described the release of Duru moments after his arrest as deeply troubling.
“The fact that the release was not authorised by the CP who initially ordered the detention, and the speed at which it happened, shows that Nwangbenta has been receiving protection from highly placed politicians in Imo State,” Barrister Ijeoma told NOHR.
The Imo State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Mr Henry Okoye, while confirming the arrest of Duru following a series of complaints from members of the public, added that the Imo State Commissioner of Police was handling the matter with utmost seriousness.
Asked why Duru was immediately released moments after being arrested for taking the law into his own hands rather than being charged in court, Okoye disclosed that the suspect was released to a reliable surety who would produce him whenever he was needed.
He also stated that the suspect was released because there was not enough evidence tying him to the torture of his detainees to death.
He added, “If there are indeed families whose relatives were tortured or even tortured to death, they should make an official petition to the CP. Right now, there is no sufficient reason to hold him. However, the matter will definitely be charged in court after a thorough investigation. ”
