Family cries foul over alleged shoot-at-sight order on LP chairman
Family Raises Alarm Over Life Threats to Labour Party Chairman in Imo State
The family of Nwachukwu Justin Ikedi, Chairman of the Labour Party (LP) for Obiangwu, Ward 10, in Ngor Okpala Local Government Area, Imo State, has expressed serious concerns regarding threats to his life. They allege that a security agency has issued a shoot-at-sight order against him.
In a statement released Thursday by his brother, Nwachukwu Paschal Chibuzor, the family disclosed that security operations near Ikedi’s residence in Owerri have intensified since the resumption of political activities ahead of the 2027 general elections.
Chibuzor noted that Ikedi, a staunch supporter of Peter Obi during the 2023 elections, was arrested in February 2023 and detained for several months. He has since been in hiding due to ongoing threats to his safety, with the family particularly alarmed by the recent developments.
The pressure on Ikedi reportedly escalated following his participation in nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests in August 2024, which aimed to address severe economic challenges and governance issues in Nigeria. According to the family, this activism led to Ikedi being placed on a security watch list on charges of treason and related national concerns.
The family alleged that security operatives raided Ikedi’s home while he was absent, assaulting family members present during the incident. They described the operatives’ unmarked vehicles and armed appearance, claiming they were not in standardized uniforms during the raid. The disruption reportedly led to the unfortunate death of Ikedi’s 16-day-old child, named Chioma.
In fear of further extrajudicial actions, Ikedi and his family have relocated to an undisclosed location, where they remain in hiding. Unidentified individuals, believed to be security personnel, have also visited his hometown of Umuolulu Obiangwu in search of him after failing to locate him in Owerri, subsequently declaring him wanted.
