South-East Security: My Life Is In Danger…Ichie Ikechukwu Okafor

By Ignatius Ushie

As the South East continue to boil over killings and kidnapping,  a prominent personality, Ichie Ikechukwu Okafor, has alleged that certain persons including the Igwe of Awkuzu in Oyi Local Government of Anambra State, Professor Charles Anikweze is out to eliminate him for no just reason.

Ikechukwu who stated this while addressing journalists at a press conference in Abuja, said “the security situation in the South East is being organised and carried out by key stakeholders in the polity” who he said are benefiting from the trouble and don’t want it to end, adding that “I have been arrested and detained for five months by the DSS over an issue I know nothing about”.

Ikechukwu, who is a Diasporian living in Germany said “I am into legitimate business and have proved in so many ways that I love Nigerian, the reason for this press meeting is because of the National security issues in the entire South East especially in my home town, Awkuzu, Oyi LGA of the state including a threat to my life”.

Ichie Okafor alleged that the source of his predicament is a syndicate in which the Nnamenyi III (King) of Awkuzu Kingdom, Professor Sir Charles M. Anikweze is involved.

According to him, “because of my open suggestions and disagreement over societal injustice such as land grabbing, cheap lies and nepotism, the Igwe who is presently restrained by a court order from acting as such without compliance, has been at the fore front of petitioning and leveling accusations against me because my talk didn’t go well with him and some of his supporters”.

Ichie explained that after his release from DSS detention, several attempts had been made on his life, his family and property which he had reported to both the police and relevant authorities without any actions taken.

“In May and December, 2021 gun men attacked my residence in Anambra and set my cars and house on fire, though no life was lost because my family had left the house a day before the attack. With the Igwes plan to scrap the present Ichie council, thereby bringing in people that will only do his bids, am afraid this actions will lead to security breach and violence that may escalate to other parts of the state”.

While responding to a question, Okafor said “I am not a member of IPOB, ESN or MASOB, I love Nigeria genuinely and that’s why am talking to the press today.

“Anambra state is state of rich history; great myths; giant strides; creative, hardworking and innovative people, as such, urgent action must be taken to prevent issues which he described as a threat to national security from escalating”. He therefore  urged the DSS and other security agencies to consider his reports and “thoroughly investigate the issue at hand to prevent further attempts on my  life, family and property”.