Human rights advocate and social media commentator Chuks Eric, popularly known online as @ChuksEricE, has reportedly been arrested and taken to Abuja following a petition allegedly filed by Senator Ned Nwoko. The petition is said to be connected to claims linking Chuks to a viral TikTok video in which another individual accused the senator of plotting to kill his estranged wife, Regina Daniels.
A family member told SaharaReporters on Sunday that Chuks was deceived into leaving his home on Friday night after receiving a phone call accusing him of stealing aluminium windows.
“Someone called him last night and accused him of stealing aluminium windows. When he got there, they arrested him and took him to a police station,” the source said.
According to the family, police investigations later confirmed that Chuks had no involvement in the alleged theft and was not the creator of the viral video circulating online.
“They later found out that he wasn’t the one who made the post; that he only reposted someone else’s content,” the source added, suggesting the arrest was tied to his social media activity.
The family further alleged that the arrest followed a petition written by a serving senator, said to have originated from Abuja.
“He was petitioned by a senator, and the petition came from Abuja,” the source claimed.
Despite these findings, operatives reportedly released Chuks later that night but instructed him to travel with them to Abuja the next day.
“They released him that night and told him to follow them the next day, which is today, to Abuja,” the family member said.
By Sunday afternoon, however, Chuks’ whereabouts were unknown, with his family and legal representatives unable to reach him.
“We don’t know his whereabouts now. No one has heard from him yet,” the source said, adding that access to him had been denied.
Concern intensified after a close associate disclosed that Chuks sent a late-night message on Saturday requesting the phone number of a well-known lawyer. Although the message was seen, the reply was delayed until Sunday morning. After the contact was sent, Chuks reportedly went silent.
Repeated attempts to reach him failed, as both of his known phone lines were switched off. His X account also showed no activity, with his last post made more than 20 hours earlier.
The associate later spoke with Chuks’ sister, who confirmed that a petition had indeed been written against him by Senator Ned Nwoko. She said the petition was based on a viral TikTok video in which a young man alleged that he was hired by the senator to kill his wife. According to her, the petition wrongly identified Chuks as the person in the video, despite clear physical differences.
The development has sparked widespread outrage online, with activists accusing authorities of wrongful targeting and abuse of power. Many pointed out that the TikTok creator behind the video, known as @liaroftiktok, is a different individual entirely and has since appeared online apologising to Senator Nwoko.
“This clearly shows that liaroftiktok is not Chuks Eric. They are two entirely different individuals,” an associate said, questioning why Chuks would be arrested for merely reposting content that had already circulated widely across blogs and social media platforms.
Activists have urged the Nigeria Police Force to act transparently and professionally.
“We urge the police to carefully compare the individual in the video with Chuks Eric and to carry out their duties with diligence, fairness, and respect for due process,” the associate added.
Also on Sunday, human rights lawyer Inibehe Effiong revealed that Chuks left him what he described as a “distressing” message.
“I just noticed that @ChuksEricE left a distressing message for me last night,” he wrote on X.
“I have seen posts stating that he has been arrested by the police over a petition by a serial petitioner, Senator Ned Nwoko.”
“Anyone with information regarding where he is being detained should contact me,” he added.
In a message reportedly sent by Chuks before his arrest, he wrote, “I’m in serious trouble ooo.
“Ned Nwoko petitioned me over that post I made of that young man who claimed Ned Nwoko gave him money to go after Regina Daniels.”
