How American Returnee Held Captive By Siblings In Anambra Home, Daughter Returns From US To Rescue Her Father (+photos)

ANAMBRA STATE, NIGERIA – A real-life drama unfolded in a community in Anambra State, Nigeria, where siblings of an American returnee, Peter Mokwuah, reportedly held him captive in his own house for nearly a year.

During this time, he became severely emaciated and was said to be merely waiting for death.

The story was shared by the victim’s daughter, Ifunanya Mokwuah, who flew back to Nigeria to rescue her father after losing contact with him. She revealed how spiritual guidance, worry, and unanswered questions prompted her urgent visit home.

Peter Mokwuah had lived and worked in New York for 25 years. Upon retirement, he relocated to his hometown in Enugwu Ukwu, Anambra State, where he had built a mansion for himself and his family. Initially, communication with his family in the U.S. was steady – until 2020, when it abruptly ceased.

As the first daughter with a close bond to her father, Ifunanya found the silence suspicious. She tried repeatedly to reach him, but her calls either went unanswered or were picked up by her aunt, who offered vague excuses – sometimes saying she was cooking and Peter was upstairs or that she was out and he would call back. He never did.

After six months without direct contact, Ifunanya grew deeply concerned. She recounted that the Holy Spirit instructed her to return to Nigeria and save her father. Believing in the divine prompting, she obeyed and prepared for the journey.

Ifunanya explained that her father was not in financial distress – he received a monthly pension of $5,000 (approx. ₦7.5 million) and had both a mansion and vehicles at his disposal. Despite this, she often sent him money during the silence, assuming he might have run out of cash.

In January 2022, Ifunanya took a two-week leave from work and travelled to Nigeria. After spending some time in Lagos, she proceeded to their village.

Upon arrival at her father’s house, she noticed a truckload of sand dumped in front of the gate, blocking entry – her first sign that something was terribly wrong.

Climbing over the sand, she banged on the gate, only for her uncle, Frances, and aunt, Josephine, to come out and angrily question her presence. She was insulted, called a prostitute, and told to go away.

Ifunanya refused to leave. Her persistence attracted youths and villagers, who demanded to know why she was being denied access.

When she identified herself as the daughter of the compound’s owner, the crowd turned on Frances and Josephine, accusing them of committing an abomination. Though angry, the villagers were restrained by elders who prevented a physical attack.

The crowd managed to enter the ground floor of the three-storey mansion. At this point, Josephine claimed Peter had travelled to Abuja, and made a phone call to another of Peter’s brothers, Uncle Christopher, who backed the claim but said Peter, had stepped out and would return the call.

Ifunanya said the Holy Spirit revealed to her that the claim was false and that her father was actually upstairs. She demanded access to the upper floors. After some resistance, the youths forced their way upstairs.

There, Ifunanya found her father lying on a filthy mattress, weak, with skinny legs, unkempt beard, and overgrown nails. She broke down in tears.

Despite his frail state, her father instantly recognized her and was overjoyed, seemingly realizing that rescue had finally come.