Following alleged incessant violent attacks, kidnapping and attempted murder on some members of the Daniel Nkwo Chigbu’s family of Uvuru Village in Ntu Community of Ngor Okpala LGA, aggrieved members of the family have sent a ‘Save-Our-Soul’ message to authorities of the Nigerian Police, Department of State Services, DSS, Ngor Okpala LGA and the general public for urgent intervention.
Mr Matthew Chigbu and Benjamin Chigbu, on behalf of several members of the family, told our correspondent that their eldest brother, based in USA, Mr Clifford Chigbu is the sponsor of the attacks as part of his plans to forcibly evict all his siblings from their late father’s compound.
In a well-worded petition issued by Dr Clement Chinaka, legal counsel to the victims-Matthew and Benjamin, the aggrieved Chigbus recalled that their eldest brother has been terrorising them over the years with unlawful quit notice, violent attacks, demolition of houses, abduction and life-threatening injuries.
The petitioners alleged that despite taking a larger chunk of the family compound, Clifford Chigbu, has ordered everyone, including his own direct siblings, in a polygamous family to quit with no alternative provision of accommodation for them.
According to them, despite interventions by the traditional institutions, the police and other concerned groups and individuals, Clifford remained adamant on his eviction agenda against all known morals, customary laws, practices and the constitution of Nigeria.
Dr Chinaka, in the petition disclosed that Matthew and Benjamin narrowly escaped death in the hands of hired thugs clad in military uniform who attacked them around 10pm on 31st December, 2025 at their father’s compound.
He stated that the assailants whisked Matthew away to an unknown destination where they allegedly gave him a beating of his life and after about three(3) days in their custody dumped him half dead near the Federal Medical Centre, FMC, Owerri, where he is currently lying in critical condition.
According to him, it was Clifford Chigbu that called the wife of Matthew to go pick up her husband near the gate of FMC Owerri,and treat him in hospital if she didn’t want him to die.
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Our correspondent who visited the victims at the hospital saw them with bruises and scars of the injuries inflicted on them by the hired thugs just as Matthew who came home for the Christmas celebration on 24th December before the attack, was unable to stand from the hospital bed or speak soundly.
He added that Clifford was acting through his armed thugs and close collaborators-Bartholomew Chigbu and his children namely Chinonso and Chibuzo Chigbu who are the prime suspects of the heinous crimes.
His words, “The crux of the matter is that the said Clifford Chigbu has decided to evict his step brothers and sisters, including his sisters from the same mother, from their family compound, following the death of their father and mother, against known cultural and traditional norms and procedures
“On 31st December 2025 and 10th January 2026 Mr. Benjamin Chigbu and Mr. Matthew Chigbu were forcefully attacked and abducted in circumstances that point clearly to premeditation, coordination, and criminal conspiracy. Following their ordeal, both victims sustained life-threatening injuries and are presently receiving critical medical care at FMC Owerri.
“The nature of the attack, the use of hired assailants, and the apparent freedom of those alleged to have sponsored the crimes raise serious concerns for public safety and suggest a continuing threat to life, not only to the victims but to the wider community if left unchecked.
On behalf of his clients, the Abuja -based lawyer called on the Police Imo State Command to immediately arrest and prosecute all persons involved in the planning, sponsorship, and execution of these attack and kidnapping.
He also urged the Department of State Services (DSS) to activate its preventive and intelligence mechanisms to forestall further violence against his clients as well as appealed to relevant authorities to ensure adequate protection for the victims and their family members.
“We urge members of the public and the media to ‘Stand in solidarity with the victims; demand accountability and justice,” he submitted.
