A serious human rights controversy is unfolding following the alleged arrest and secret detention of Mr. Eme Alfred Friday by officers of the Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Enugu State Police Command. Advocacy group Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has submitted a formal petition demanding urgent intervention from top police authorities.
Mr. Friday was taken from his Lagos residence between 8:00 and 9:00 p.m. on June 26, 2025, by individuals who assured his wife he was being transferred to Enugu. Oddly, he was later seen in handcuffs at Area B Police Command in Apapa, Lagos, before being moved in secrecy. His whereabouts were unknown for several days until a covert phone call placed on July 2 confirmed he was in Enugu custody.
Despite family inquiries and legal efforts, officers allegedly denied Mr. Friday’s detention until July 3, and he has since been held incommunicado without charges, legal counsel, or contact with his family.
RULAAC claims the incident violates multiple sections of Nigeria’s Constitution, including rights to liberty, legal representation, fair hearing, and protection against unlawful detention. The group insists Mr. Friday’s continued detention is tantamount to enforced disappearance and a blatant abuse of police power.
RULAAC is calling for: Immediate clarification regarding the arrest, Full access for family and lawyers, either formal arraignment or unconditional release, A probe into the officers involved, especially SUPOL John Ilia and Reforms to prevent recurrence.
“The rule of law must not be discarded,” said RULAAC Executive Director, Okechukwu Nwanguma. “This case reflects the urgent need for institutional safeguards and transparency in policing.”
The Commissioner of Police, Enugu State, and the Inspector-General of Police have been copied on the petition, which is now gaining traction among civil rights advocates across Nigeria.
