'Okorocha’s Son-In-law In Our Custody, Not Abducted' — Police

AllNews had earlier reported that the former gubernatorial candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the state was on Sunday abducted by unknown persons at Saint Peter’s Anglican Church, Nkwerre.

The incident occurred while Nwosu was having a thanksgiving service after burying his mother three days ago.

A statement by the Police reads: “This is to inform the general public that Chief Uche Nwosu was not kidnapped but was arrested by the police and Imo state police command is aware of the arrest and presently he is in police custody.

“This is to refute the earlier news that has been making rounds on social media that he was kidnapped by unknown gunmen.”

Darlington Ibekwe and aid to the politician said Nwosu, Senator Okorocha's wife and Okorocha's daughter were assaulted by the officers.

“These security men came into the church, slapped Ugwumba (Nwosu) and told him, ‘my friend stand up and follow us’.”

Ibekwe said a surprised Nwosu tried to inquire from the security men why he was being embarrassed in such a manner.

“They beat him up, tore his shirt and dragged him out of the church like a common criminal,” he said.

Continuing, he said, “Senator Okorocha’s wife stood up and asked them what was going on, they slapped her and pushed her to the floor. Nwosu’s wife Uloma also tried to ask what was going on but they also slapped her and pushed her to the floor.

“They tore Nwosu’s clothes, continued beating him till they put him in the car and drove off. They fired live bullets and the shells can be seen on the ground everywhere on the road before they zoomed off,”  Ibekwe said.

The current governor of Imo State, Hope Uzodinma, and his predecessor, Okorocha, who is now a senator, have been engaged in a prolonged political battle.

Nwosu, backed by the then governor, Okorocha, was the candidate of the Action Alliance in the 2019 governorship election in Imo State.