Community Youth Leader Begs IGP To Save His Life From Threats By Political Opponents, Police Collaborators

The President of Ukwuinyi Youth Forum, Nnanano in Nkwerre Local Government Area of Imo State, Mr. Joel Chigbo Chinasa Nwosu has cried out, calling on the Inspector General of Police to urgently save his life from those who have conspired to eliminate him at all cost for his refusal to do what he described as “their selfish and corrupt bidding.”

Speaking with journalists in Lagos on Thursday, Nwosu said his problem began after he succeeded Mr. Chidi Onuchukwu to become the new President of the Youth Forum. Onuchukwu had held the position for years.

According to him “since assuming office, I have faced continuous opposition and interference from Mr. Chidi Onuchukwu and his sponsors. Mr. Onuchukwu led the youth organization for over sixteen years. Since my emergence as Youth President, he has consistently interfered with the administration of the Youth Forum, making it difficult for me to discharge my responsibilities.

“Much of this hostility appears linked to political interests ahead of the 2027 elections. Rather than allow the elected youth leadership to function independently, certain individuals have sought to undermine my administration through intimidation and violence.”

Nwosu said that the situation escalated on 4th April 2026, when Mr. Chidi Onuchukwu allegedly incited Messrs Chidiebere Azode, Uchechukwu Azode, and Chijoke Azode to physically attack him in the village, alleging that he was severely beaten and publicly humiliated.

“I reported the assault to the village authorities seeking redress. Instead of condemning the assailants, Mr. Onuchukwu reportedly defended them and stated that they could use “whatever means available” to fight me in order to secure what he called their rights. This emboldened them to continue threatening me.

“Three days later, I reported the matter to the State CID, Owerri. The suspects were arrested, but before I arrived to make my statement, they had been released. While I was still at the station, they called me to say they were at home drinking beer and boasting that I was wasting my money because they had “the police and the judiciary in their palms.”

Sequel to this, “I was forced to limit my duties as youth leader, as they vowed to stop at nothing to bring me down.

“The influence wielded by Mr. Onuchukwu and his sponsors has made it difficult to obtain justice within the community. They openly claim connections to persons in government and assert that nothing can be done to them.”

He disclosed that attempts to seek redress through community channels have been frustrated as he was fined one goat and three other items by the village authorities, allegedly on the instructions of these powerful individuals.

“Having exhausted local remedies, I sought redress in court to enforce my fundamental rights and to restrain further attacks. Since then, I have been subjected to further intimidation and harassment, including phone calls from individuals claiming to be law enforcement officers.

In spite of Suit No. FHC/OW/FHR/45/2026 he filed at the Federal High Court, Owerri seeking enforcement of his fundamental rights following the violent attack on him, he has continued to be threatened and in his words, “my greatest concern arose on 2nd June 2026. One “Mr. Ola,” claiming to be from the Tiger Base Unit, Owerri, called me on 0803 794 2447 and instructed me to report to Tiger Base regarding “my case.” When I asked which case, he mentioned the “Nkwerre Country Club” incident of 28th April 2025.

Throwing light on the incident, Nwosu said “on that date, I had gone to Nkwerre Country Club for dinner when armed men raided the venue and detained several persons, including myself and my predecessor, Mr. Chidi Onuchukwu, who was already there. About eight of us were taken to the defunct Tiger Base, Owerri, on the grounds that a group intended to commit a crime at the club. The next day, dignitaries from Nkwerre, including the Chief of Staff to the Imo State Governor, Barr. Sir Nnamdi Anyaehie; Nze Chinasa Nwaneri; Hon. Barr. Chisom Ojukwu, Member representing Nkwerre State Constituency; and the management of Nkwerre Country Club, intervened. We were released unconditionally.

“It has been over a year since that incident, and the police have never invited me or the others involved. I believe this sudden call is an attempt to use the police and Tiger Base to intimidate me, particularly as Mr. Onuchukwu and “Ola” are now reportedly close, with Mr. Onuchukwu suspected to have government backing.”

The visibly worried Nwosu said that another caller who identified himself as “Omini,” the IPO, also contacted him. “I requested an official written invitation stating the reason and location, so my lawyers could accompany me, given the documented human rights concerns associated with Tiger Base. These calls have caused me significant distress and appear to intimidate me for pursuing justice through lawful means.

“I now live in fear of being framed, abducted, or made to disappear without my family’s knowledge. I am a law-abiding Nigerian citizen committed to equity and fairness.”

In a letter written to the IGP which was dated 4th June, 2026 Joel Chigbo Chinasa Nwosu has respectfully requested that the Nigeria Police Force investigate and take appropriate action on the assault committed against him on 4th April 2026, the alleged role of Mr. Chidi Onuchukwu and others in inciting and enabling the assault.

He also requested that Police should put an end to the continuous harassment, intimidation, and threats directed at him while the identity and conduct of individuals claiming to be officers of the Tiger Base Unit, Owerri, who have contacted him should be properly investigated.

Meanwhile, when “Ola” (Asst. Commissioner of Police Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa) of Tiger Base was contacted on phone at about 11.30am on Friday by Editor-in-Chief of Atlanticnewsonline on behalf of other journalists, the officer initially said he did not know anything about the case but at the same time disclosed that Nwosu had a case with him. He said that he granted Nwosu bail but he refused to show up with his lawyer.

When asked to explain the nature of case and date of incident, ACP Oladimeji angrily declined to comment further and dropped the call.

The challenges facing Nwosu got escalated on the 5th of May, 2026 when the Secretary of the Home branch of Ukwuinyi Village Meeting wrote him a letter of suspension from his position as the Youth President for purportedly “double crossing and undermining the will of the village.”

However, in a twist of fate, the National President of the Ukwuinyi Village Meeting, Engr. Ken Nwaneri in a letter dated 6th May, 2026 nullified the suspension as the home branch of the town meeting acted beyond its powers.

The President’s letter holds that the “home branch being a subordinate unit, lacks the jurisdiction to suspend a duly elected national officer of Ukwuinyi Village Meeting. Consequently, any action taken in this regard is null, void and without effect,” the President said.

In spite of this step by the President, Nwosu said his safety is still not guaranteed as Onuchukwu and his collaborators feel that they have not benefitted from donations sent by the community’s indigenes in the Diaspora towards empowering the youths.