A family in Ebonyi has cried out to the Inspector-General of Police (IGP), alleging a sustained campaign of violence, threats, and abductions targeted at its members.
The petition, titled “Appeal for Urgent Intervention and Protection Over Sustained Threats, Killings and Kidnappings Targeting the Okorie Chukwu Family in Ishiagu, Ebonyi”, was signed by Dr Justus Okorie on behalf of the Okorie Chukwu family of Amaonye in Ishiagu, Ivo Local Government Area.
According to the document, made available to newsmen in Abakaliki on Thursday, the family expressed deep concern over the recent arrest of two female relatives – Ms Ngozi and Ms Juliet Chukwu, in Enugu, Enugu state in connection with the kidnapping of their elder brother, Mr Friday Chukwu, and their cousin, Mr Denise Igwe.
The family further disclosed that their anxiety heightened after the name of another relative, Chief Emmanuel Okorie, was found on a “hit list” recovered from the suspects by security operatives.
The petitioners said that the suspects are members of paramilitary organisations; the Nigeria Immigration Service (NIS) and the Nigeria Security and Civil Defence Corps (NSCDC) respectively.
“We are yet to recover from the trauma of the gruesome murder of our son, Mr Chibuenyi Okorie, followed closely by the abduction and killing of our mother, Mrs Catherine Okorie,” the petition read.
The family said despite public outcry, there had been no meaningful progress in the prosecution of suspects, and justice remained elusive.
“This heinous chain of events began with the cold-blooded murder of one of our sons under circumstances widely believed to be connected to organised crime.
” Six months later, our mother was abducted and her remains later discovered in a shallow grave at a neighbouring community in Abia State.
“Shockingly, the recent arrests of members of a kidnapping gang by the Enugu State Police Command revealed a list containing names of intended targets, including that of Chief Emmanuel Okorie, our family member,” the petition stated.
The family said the discovery confirmed their worst fears of a coordinated plot to “annihilate” them.
They also alleged that some individuals previously linked to the crimes have since received political appointments, suggesting possible complicity and cover-up.
“Our family now lives in constant fear; only a few of us can afford police escorts, while the rest remain dangerously exposed,” the family lamented.
They called on the IGP to intervene urgently, saying, “We are not asking for special treatment; we are only asking for the constitutionally guaranteed right to life and security.”
The family urged the IGP to launch a high-level investigation into the attacks, expedite prosecution of suspects, provide enhanced protection for family members and investigate any alleged involvement of political office holders and security agents.
“We are law-abiding citizens who believe in the Nigerian justice system.
“However, without your intervention, more lives may be lost and a dangerous precedent set,” the family warned.
They expressed confidence in the IGP’s commitment to justice and protection of all Nigerian citizens. ENDS//
