68-year-old chief remains in Anambra vigilante detention days after arrest over alleged land dispute
By Ishaya Ibrahim
The Rule of Law and Accountability Advocacy Centre (RULAAC) has raised alarm over the continued detention of 68-year-old Chief John Nneli of Umudiani Village by operatives of the Anambra State vigilante group, Operation Udo ga Achi, also known as Agunechemba.
A statement by RULAAC on Monday revealed that four individuals arrested alongside Chief Nneli were released on Saturday, June 13, 2026. However, the elderly chief remains in custody at the group’s headquarters, known as the Lion Building, in Awka.
The statement signed by RULAAC’s Executive Director Okechukwu Nwanguma, cited information from one of Chief Nneli’s sons who was among those released, saying the Head of Agunechemba allegedly admitted the outfit has no mandate to intervene in land disputes.
The advocacy group noted that a new allegation surfaced during the detention. An official identified as the Secretary of the outfit, named as “Nweke,” allegedly claimed Chief Nneli is a traditional medicine practitioner involved in killing people. Chief Nneli has denied the accusation, insisting the matter is civil.
RULAAC’s statement highlighted alleged internal disagreement within the vigilante structure. The released son reportedly said the head of the outfit had directed that all detainees be freed, but only four were released. Chief Nneli was allegedly kept in custody on the insistence of the Secretary.
“These developments raise troubling questions about internal command structure, accountability, and adherence to due process within the Anambra State security architecture,” said Okechukwu Nwanguma, RULAAC’s Executive Director.
RULAAC warned that the involvement of security-backed structures in civil land disputes “represents a serious deviation from their lawful mandate and creates room for abuse.” The group is demanding urgent action from the Governor of Anambra State.
RULAAC called for the immediate review of the circumstances surrounding Chief Nneli’s detention, his release if no lawful basis exists for holding him and clear operational boundaries for Operation Udo ga Achi on civil disputes, especially land matters.
“If there are genuine criminal allegations against Chief Nneli or any member of his family, such allegations must be properly investigated and prosecuted in accordance with due process of law,” Nwanguma stated. “Where no such credible criminal basis exists, continued detention becomes unlawful and unacceptable.”
RULAAC said the conflicting narratives being introduced to justify the detention “only deepen public suspicion and undermine confidence in the neutrality of state-backed security institutions.”
The group stressed that the credibility of Anambra State’s security architecture depends on “strict adherence to the rule of law, internal discipline, and public accountability.” It pledged to continue monitoring the case and called for immediate corrective action to prevent further escalation.
