The Enugu State Police Command has refuted claims that it abandoned the search for missing Flourish Nkwachi Uzodimma. It also denied allegations that it requested a N25,000 tracking fee from her father, Charles Uzodimma.
A statement on Saturday by the command’s spokesperson DSP Daniel Ndukwe, was in response to allegations by a lawyer, Ege Obetta on X.
According to Ndukwe, Flourish, an 18-year-old first-year Computer Robotics student at the University of Nigeria, Nsukka (UNN), left her parents’ residence in Owerre-Eze Orba, Udenu LGA, on November 28, 2024, to an unknown destination.
“On December 3, 2024, her father, accompanied by the Chief Security Officer of UNN, reported her disappearance to the Nsukka Urban Police Station. Despite his insistence that the case be treated as mere information, the police initiated an investigation.”
The command’s spokesperson explained that Mr. Uzodimma independently engaged a private tracker, allegedly paying N25,000, but efforts to track her phone were unsuccessful as it was switched off.
“Later, Mr. Uzodimma informed the police that Flourish was seen in a Facebook photo with another girl he had warned her against associating with. The girl’s phone number was tracked to Calabar, Cross River State.
“Contrary to claims of police inaction, Mr. Uzodimma stopped collaborating with the police, hampering the investigation. The case remains under investigation, but progress has been hindered by the non-coperation of Flourish’s parents.”
He maintained that sensationalising the matter would serve no purpose, rather it would detract from the ongoing efforts to resolve it.
