The whereabouts of Pastor Azubuine Kenneth Chimezie, a prominent leader of the Assemblies of God Church in Surulere, remain unknown following a series of violent, targeted attacks by unidentified gunmen who allegedly mislabeled him a member of the separatist group, Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

The disappearance of the cleric, who has been missing since March 3, 2025, has sent shockwaves through the Christian community and drawn attention to the growing danger faced by individuals caught in the complex ideological crossfire in the South-East.

Although there were initial controversies over why Pastor Chimezie was suspected of belonging to IPOB, emerging details indicate that his ordeal stemmed from a nuanced stance on “Biafran identity”, which reportedly made him a target of suspected radical elements.

Chimezie had been vocal in opposing the extrajudicial killing of Igbo youths frequently labelled as IPOB members, arguing that “Igbo should not maim their own over disagreements in ideology”.

His advocacy was rooted in a literal interpretation of the acronym IPOB, asserting that every indigenous person of Biafran descent is, by definition, an “Indigenous Person of Biafra”.

He consistently maintained that while he claimed the identity by birth, he was not a member of the organisation by association. This philosophical distinction, however, was reportedly lost on his assailants.

The perception of Chimezie as a high-ranking affiliate was further aggravated by his widely publicised church crusade tagged “Let My People Go”. Although intended as a spiritual gathering, the theme was allegedly misinterpreted by hostile actors as political provocation, leading to increased surveillance and threats against him.

The situation escalated during a brutal attack in which Chimezie was intercepted by about eight armed men. According to his wife and several eyewitnesses, the attackers interrogated him on how he could be “both a pastor and an IPOB member”.

Despite his explanation that his “membership” was a matter of birthright rather than factional militancy, he was reportedly beaten with cutlasses and left for dead.

The injured cleric was rushed to a clinic on Ilamoye Street, Aguda, Surulere, near the Ijesha area of Lagos, by witnesses, including Mrs Okonkwo, the wife of Pastor John Okonkwo of Believers Fire Assembly Ministry, located on the same street.

Mrs Okonkwo, who also sustained injuries during the attack, was accompanied by Mr IsmilaAbioye, Mr OgbonayaChukwujekwu, Mr Solomon Kanu, Mrs Austin Oluchi and Mr Wayid, a local security guard.

One of the witnesses, Mr Chukwujekwu, who later drove the victim to the police station, said they reported the incident at the Aguda Police Station. He added that officers allegedly demanded money, which the group refused to provide, prompting them to seek an affidavit from the court instead.

The persecution reportedly extended beyond the pastor. On July 13, 2025, assailants allegedly traced the family to their village, where they attacked Chimezie’s mother.

A family source said the attackers inflicted what was described as a “half-dead injury” on her, leaving her bedridden. The source added that the assailants issued a chilling ultimatum, warning that wherever Pastor Chimezie is found, they would mobilise for his final elimination.

At the Assemblies of God Church at 24 Ehi Street, Ijesha Airways, Surulere, the atmosphere remains one of sombre desperation. The church is currently being overseen by deacons as the search for their leader continues.

One of them, Deacon Thompson, appealed to the authorities to do everything possible to locate the pastor, describing him as a man of peace whose only offence was his belief that his people should not be killed.

As the search for Pastor Chimezie enters a critical phase, the case stands as a reminder of the dangers of ideological labelling in a region where the line between identity and association has increasingly become a death sentence. (The Guardian)

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