The Executive Director of the Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC), Okechukwu Nwanguma, has expressed concern over the continued detention of 68-year-old Chief John Nneli of Umudiani Village, Achalla, in Awka North Local Government Area of Anambra State, allegedly by operatives of the Anambra State Vigilante Group, popularly known as Operation Udo Ga Achi or Agunechemba.
In a statement issued in June 2026, Nwanguma disclosed that four individuals who were reportedly arrested alongside Chief Nneli regained their freedom on June 13, 2026.
However, Chief Nneli remained in custody as of the time of the statement.
According to Nwanguma, information obtained by RULAAC from one of Chief Nneli’s sons, who was among those released and was allegedly detained at the Lion Building, the headquarters of the vigilante outfit in Awka, indicated that the head of the Agunechemba Vigilante Group reportedly admitted that the organisation has no mandate to intervene in land disputes.
Nwanguma said the alleged admission reinforces longstanding concerns about the involvement of security-backed structures in civil matters, particularly land disputes, which he described as a departure from their lawful mandate and a potential avenue for abuse.
He further stated that another official of the outfit, identified as its secretary and known as “Nweke,” allegedly sought to introduce new allegations against Chief Nneli, accusing him of being a traditional medicine practitioner involved in killings.
Chief Nneli reportedly denied the allegations, maintaining that his arrest stemmed solely from an ongoing land dispute involving some members of his community who are also complainants in the matter.
Nwanguma also expressed concern over reports of internal disagreements within the vigilante outfit regarding Chief Nneli’s continued detention.
According to him, the released son alleged that although the head of the security structure directed that all detainees be released, only four individuals were freed, while Chief Nneli remained in custody, allegedly at the insistence of the secretary.
The RULAAC director said the development raises serious questions about the command structure, accountability mechanisms, and adherence to due process within the state’s security architecture.
He warned that the detention could amount to arbitrary deprivation of liberty, particularly if criminal allegations are being introduced to justify actions arising from what appears to be a civil dispute.
Nwanguma reiterated that any genuine criminal allegations against Chief Nneli or members of his family should be investigated and prosecuted through lawful procedures. He stressed that where no credible criminal basis exists, continued detention would be unlawful.
He noted that the emergence of conflicting narratives regarding the reasons for Chief Nneli’s detention has heightened public suspicion and could undermine confidence in state-backed security institutions.
Consequently, Nwanguma called on the Anambra State Government to urgently review the circumstances surrounding Chief Nneli’s continued detention and ensure his immediate release if no lawful basis exists for holding him.
He also urged the government to establish clear operational boundaries for the Agunechemba/Operation Udo Ga Achi security structure, particularly in relation to civil disputes such as land matters.
He further called for an investigation into allegations that internal directives within the outfit were disregarded and demanded accountability for any officials found to have acted outside the law.
According to Nwanguma, the credibility of Anambra State’s security architecture depends on strict adherence to the rule of law, internal discipline, and public accountability.
He warned that any perception that individuals can be detained without legal justification threatens public trust and the legitimacy of the system.
Nwanguma said RULAAC would continue to monitor developments in the case and urged authorities to take immediate corrective measures to prevent further escalation.
