The President of Ukwuinyi Youth Forum, Nnanano in Nkwerre Local Government Area of Imo State, Mr. Joel Chigbo Chinasa Nwosu, has petitioned the Inspector General of Police (IGP), seeking intervention over what he described as persistent threats, intimidation and harassment allegedly linked to a protracted leadership dispute within his community’s youth organization.
Nwosu, who addressed journalists in Lagos on Thursday, alleged that the challenges began following his emergence as President of the Youth Forum, a position previously occupied for several years by Mr. Chidi Onuchukwu. He claimed that since assuming office, he has faced opposition and interference from individuals he believes are unhappy with the change in leadership.
According to Nwosu, tensions surrounding the youth body have intensified amid political interests ahead of the 2027 elections, with some persons allegedly attempting to undermine his administration. He further alleged that the dispute culminated in an assault against him on April 4, 2026, an incident he said he reported to both community authorities and law enforcement agencies.
The youth leader claimed that despite reporting the matter to the State Criminal Investigation Department (CID) in Owerri, he was dissatisfied with the handling of the case and feared that influential persons were frustrating efforts to obtain justice. He also alleged that subsequent attempts to resolve the dispute through community structures yielded little progress.
Nwosu disclosed that he later approached the Federal High Court in Owerri through Suit No. FHC/OW/FHR/45/2026, seeking enforcement of his fundamental rights and protection from further alleged acts of intimidation.
A major aspect of his petition concerns telephone calls he said he received from individuals identifying themselves as officers attached to the Tiger Base Unit in Owerri. Nwosu expressed concern that the calls were connected to the ongoing dispute and requested official documentation explaining the basis of the invitation before honouring it with his legal representatives.
He also referenced an earlier security operation at the Nkwerre Country Club in April 2025 during which several persons, including himself and his predecessor, were detained and later released. According to him, no further contact was made by the police regarding that incident until the recent phone calls.
In his petition dated June 4, 2026, Nwosu urged the Inspector General of Police to investigate the circumstances surrounding the alleged assault against him, the threats he claims to have received, and the identities of persons who contacted him in connection with the matter.
When contacted, Assistant Commissioner of Police Oladimeji Odeyeyiwa of the Tiger Base Unit said Nwosu had a matter before his office and stated that he had earlier granted him bail. However, the officer declined to provide further details about the case before ending the telephone conversation.
The dispute took another turn in May 2026 when Nwosu received a letter from the Secretary of the Home Branch of Ukwuinyi Village Meeting purporting to suspend him as Youth President for allegedly undermining the will of the village. However, the National President of the Ukwuinyi Village Meeting, Engr. Ken Nwaneri, subsequently nullified the suspension, stating that the home branch lacked the authority to suspend a duly elected national officer.
Despite that development, Nwosu maintained that he remains concerned about his safety and has called on the police authorities to investigate his complaints and ensure his protection while the various disputes are being resolved.
