Army Frees One Of Two Men Detained Without Trial For 31 Days In Imo After SaharaReporters’ Exposé

The Nigerian Army has released Mr. Mmadueke Okereke, one of the two young men illegally detained without trial or evidence at the Quarter Guard Cell of the 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, Imo State.

Sources told SaharaReporters he was released on Friday, following SaharaReporters' exposé on their detention by the army for over 31 days in solitary confinement.

SaharaReporters on October 3, reported a case of alleged injustice and military overreach in Imo State, where two men, Chimamkpa Nnorom and Mmadueke Okereke, had been held for over 31 days at the Quarter Guard Cell of the 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, without trial.

Their ordeal reportedly began on August 31, 2025, in Umuugwuta Village, Ndegwu Community, Owerri West Local Government Area, after a minor quarrel escalated into a scuffle with Okezuo Ogbos, the brother of Corporal Chimdalu Ogbos.

Although the matter was purely a civil dispute, Corporal Ogbos allegedly used his military influence to facilitate the arrest of the two men on September 2, 2025, although Okekere was not part of the fight with his brother, plunging their families into despair.

Community members further revealed that Okereke was not even present when the fight occurred. His only “offence,” they said, was accompanying his in-law to honour an invitation by the local security committee.

Their wives, Uzochi Glory Nnorom and Richeal Okereke, have been left devastated, struggling to care for two children each after Uzochi reportedly lost her pregnancy following an assault by soldiers when she attempted to visit her husband. Both women pleaded with authorities to intervene and secure their husbands’ release.

Meanwhile, speaking with Uzochi Nnorom on Monday, she revealed that Mmadueke Okereke was released on Friday.

She added that the Commander of the Nigerian Army at the 34 Artillery Brigade, Obinze, has indicated interest in transferring her husband and other youths from Imo State held in captivity for months without access to their families to the notorious police Anti-Kidnapping Unit, otherwise known as 'Tiger Base' in Imo State.

"My husband's in-law (Okereke) has been released. He returned home three days ago (Friday). He has been taken to the hospital for proper medical treatment as he suffered severe physical and mental torture while in military custody," she said.

"We met one man who called the commander at Obinze, and he said that before the end of this week, he would transfer my husband to the 'Tiger Base' police Anti-Kidnapping Unit of the Imo State Police Command.”

She mentioned that she was out of the hospital after suffering a miscarriage following the soldiers' attack at Obi