Eric Patrick
A shocking case of alleged family captivity has emerged in Anambra State, where an American returnee, Peter Mokwuah, was reportedly held against his will for over a year by close relatives at his own residence.
The disturbing revelation was made by Mokwuah’s first daughter, Ifunanya Mokwuah, who flew in from the United States to intervene after months of unexplained silence from her father.
According to Ifunanya, her father lived and worked in New York City for 25 years before retiring and relocating to his hometown of Enugwu-Ukwu, where he had built a three-storey mansion.
He was said to be drawing a monthly pension of $5,000 and was believed to be financially stable.
Sudden Silence and Suspicion
All seemed well until 2020, when Mokwuah abruptly stopped communicating with his family abroad.
Concerned by his unusual silence, Ifunanya made repeated efforts to contact him, often reaching only her paternal aunt, Josephine, who gave vague excuses for his unavailability.
“She would tell me she was cooking, and Daddy was upstairs,” Ifunanya said in a series of emotional videos.
“Other times she said she wasn’t home, but he was fine. But he never returned my calls.”
Months of unanswered questions and mounting worry led Ifunanya to take a two-week leave from work in January 2022 and fly to Nigeria to uncover the truth.
Unwelcome Homecoming
When she arrived at her father’s compound, she was stunned to find a truckload of sand deliberately dumped in front of the gate to prevent entry or exit.
Determined to see her father, she climbed over the sand and banged on the gate.
What followed was a tense confrontation. “My uncle Frances and aunt Josephine came out and hurled insults at me.
They called me a prostitute and told me to go away,” she said. “They threw sand on me.”
The commotion drew the attention of neighbours and village youths, who demanded answers.
Upon confirming that she was Peter’s daughter, the crowd confronted Frances and Josephine, questioning why they were barring her from seeing her father.
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The situation nearly turned violent, but village elders intervened to prevent escalation.
A Heartbreaking Discovery
When Ifunanya and local youths finally forced their way into the compound, she was told by her aunt that her father had travelled to Abuja.
A phone call was placed to another relative, Uncle Christopher, who affirmed the story but said Peter was “out and would call back.”
However, Ifunanya claimed she had a spiritual conviction that her father was inside the house.
“The Holy Spirit told me he was upstairs,” she recounted.
With the support of the villagers, Ifunanya made her way to the upper floor, where she discovered her father lying on a filthy mattress, visibly emaciated, with long, untrimmed nails and beard — a far cry from the dignified retiree he had been.
“He recognised me immediately and smiled. He was so happy. It was like he knew his rescue had finally come,” she said, holding back tears.
Community Demands Justice
The incident has sparked outrage in the Enugwu-Ukwu community, with many questioning how such abuse could have gone unnoticed for so long.
Locals are calling for a thorough investigation and accountability for those responsible.
As of the time of publication, there has been no official response from local authorities or the individuals accused in Ifunanya’s account.
However, community leaders have confirmed that they are aware of the situation and are taking steps to ensure Mr. Mokwuah’s safety.
The case highlights concerns over elder abuse, especially involving returnees who may be vulnerable due to age, isolation, or wealth.
Ifunanya has since begun documenting her father’s recovery and is reportedly working to secure his medical care and legal protection.