It had also been reported that he was arrested because someone allegedly on the military wanted list shared his wedding invitation on Facebook.
Thirteen days after his arrest, the Nigerian Army has continued to detain one Peter Chibuzo Agwu, a man who was arrested in a church in Abia State during his wedding.
SaharaReporters had reported on December 21, 2023, that some operatives of the Nigerian Army arrested Agwu inside the Zion Glory Gospel Church along Okporoama Umuezela Road, Old Umuahia Abia State during his wedding.
It had also been reported that he was arrested because someone allegedly on the military wanted list shared his wedding invitation on Facebook.
On December 22, 2023, the Director of Army Public Relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, had confirmed the arrest of Chibuzo, adding that his arrest was in connection to a kidnap case that the Nigerian Army was investigating.
He, however, revealed that a preliminary report had shown that Chibuzo was innocent and was not involved or had any connections with the incident and promised that he would be released as soon possible from custody.
Thirteen days after, Chibuzo had remained in solitary confinement at the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu State.
Chibuzo's bride, who spoke with SaharaReporters on Thursday, lamented the emotional trauma she and her mother-in-law were going through since her husband's arrest.
She said she and her brother-in-law had been going to 82DV of the Nigerian Army in Enugu every two days from Umuahia with attendant cost hoping that they (the Army) would release him before now.
"Last time we came, a lieutenant that is in charge of the case told us that the case is out of his hands and that he is waiting for his commander to sign and then their GOC (General of Commanding) will sign before they will release him.”
According to them, she said "They are still holding him because those who were supposed to sign for his release haven't signed. I don't know what is happening. What will it take to sign? He was arrested on December 16, 2023 - today is making it 13 days he has been in detention without committing any offence."
On how she has been coping, the distressed wife said "All I am asking is for them to give me my husband. He didn't do anything and they have confirmed he didn't do anything. I am depressed with the entire situation. It is very bad that an innocent man will be subjected to such suffering and humiliation from the government agency that is supposed to protect him. I am not even talking about the embarrassment, the wastage, and everything. My concern now is to let them release my husband."
She added, "Now my aged mother-in-law is not coping either. How would she be coping, someone the son was arrested on his wedding day and hasn't seen him for upward of 13 days and still counting on an unknown offence? We are praying that her son will be released soon before she dies. She is not coping and I am feeling faint-hearted.
"I have not heard or seen this kind of treatment in my life is only in the movies that you hear this kind of thing. And after everything the person didn't do anything and you disgraced him like that and yet still kept him in detention. I don't understand. The treatment can only be done to slaves and we are not one.
"We have been spending money going to 82DV of Nigerian Army, Enugu on top of the trauma. I have been squatting with someone in Enugu. I just came back with my brother-in-law to Umuahia two days ago, now we are still going back to Enugu tomorrow.
"Every day we are coming to Enugu we spend each person N10,000, together that is N20,000. Then the money we spent on city transport wasn't included. Where is the money yet we did not even do the wedding. I don't know whether they are going to render an apology after everything - the emotional stress, the shame, the stigma, and the waste.
"Now 25th December, the Christmas had gone. Do they also want me to celebrate New Year without my husband? It is unfair, inhumane, and unjust. Let them do the right thing," She pleaded.