A shocking discovery has emerged in Etiti village, Igbo-Ukwu, Anambra State, after a young man identified as Chigbo, who was long believed to have travelled abroad in 2021, was found chained and confined inside a small hut by his own family for the past five years.
Reports indicate that Chigbo’s relatives misled his friends and community by claiming he had relocated to Europe. However, he remained hidden and restrained at home under degrading conditions.
The circumstances surrounding his prolonged detention, including who specifically was responsible for chaining him and the reasons behind it, are still being investigated by authorities.
A viral video circulating on social media captured the moment Chigbo regained his freedom. In the footage, he can be heard saying, “I’ve been locked here since July 3rd, 2021,” showing clear relief and exhaustion after years of captivity.
The revelation has triggered widespread outrage across the community, with many residents demanding justice and accountability from his family members who kept him in such an inhumane condition.
According to the owner of the house where he was locked, Chigbo was allegedly suffering from mental instability, and this was cited as the reason his family decided to chain him inside the hut since 2021. However, many have condemned this act as a gross violation of human rights, regardless of his mental health condition.
The disturbing case has sparked conversations about how mental health patients are treated in certain parts of Nigeria, with calls for proper medical intervention instead of unlawful confinement and abuse.
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