By CHARLES IWUOHA

The family of Nwachukwu Justin Ikedi, the Labour Party (LP) Chairman for Obiangwu, Ward 10, in Ngor Okpala LGA, Imo State, has raised the alarm over recent threats to their lives following information that a certain security agency in the country has declared him wanted and slammed a shoot-at-sight order on him.

In a statement issued Thursday by his brother, Nwachukwu Paschal Chibuzor, the family disclosed that they are seriously perturbed following renewed security operations at his residence in Redemption Estate in Owerri since the recent political activities resumed ahead of the 2027 general elections.

According to him, Ikedi, a diehard supporter of Peter Obi, since 2023 elections, was arrested in February of 2023 and detained for months and has been on the run for his life and the family is worried about his safety in the face of the latest manhunt.

He further stated that the pressure on Ikedi intensified in August 2024 after he participated in the nationwide #EndBadGovernance protests over excruciating economic hardship and governance issues across Nigeria.

He pointed out that the recent hunt for him may not be unconnected to the interest of the overzealous operatives working for the ruling APC to determine whether he (Ikedi) remained involved in sponsoring or supporting Peter Obi’s political campaign through the NDC.

The family said, ”Following the demonstrations, security forces placed Ikedi on a security watch list over allegations of treason and allied matters of national concern.

It was also alleged that security operatives reportedly raided Ikedi’s residence in search of him while he was away from home and brutalized members of his family who were around during the raid.

“During the forced entry and search of his home, members of his family were subjected to severe mistreatment by operatives who came in dark-coloured unmarked Sienna car. They were masked, not in any known security uniform but heavily armed. The stress and disruption surrounding the raid resulted in the death of his 16-day-old child (Chioma),” the statement added

“For fear of further extrajudicial action, Ikedi fled with his surviving family members to an undisclosed location, where they have lived in concealment,” anonymous neighbour said.

Our reporter gathered that the unidentified persons suspected to be security operatives also visited his home town, Umuolulu Obiangwu in Ngor Okpala LGA when they could not find him at his Owerri residence and declared him wanted subsequently.

The alleged shoot-at-sight order, though not officially confirmed by the police, has raised serious concerns about the safety of Ikedi and his family, as well as the treatment of individuals perceived to support opposition political movements in Nigeria.