After taking control of the Nigerian Government earlier in January 1966, the military decreed the arrest, in March 1966 for "state security" reasons, 30 politicians from the south. Benson, K. O. Mbadiwe and M. N. Ugochuku were detained at Alagbon, then transferred to the Ikoyi prison. At first the three men were held in one room with no toilet, and were not allowed visitors.