Chief Igwe Emmanuel Chidi, Publisher of National Issue Newspapers, has raised the alarm over an alleged security threat to his life and that of his immediate family, calling on Ebonyi State Governor, Francis Ogbonna Nwifuru, to provide him with adequate security protection.
Chidi made the appeal in a public security alert issued on Tuesday, November 3, 2026, following reports that some hooded individuals whose identities and intentions remain unknown allegedly appeared at his private residence in Abakaliki in the early hours of the day and knocked on his door under suspicious circumstances.
Expressing concern over the incident, the publisher said the prevailing political atmosphere in Ebonyi State made it necessary for him to take the development seriously, particularly given his critical stance on some policies and programmes of the present administration.
Although he refrained from accusing any individual or group of responsibility, Chidi urged relevant security agencies to investigate the incident and take immediate preventive measures to safeguard his life and those of his family members.
He specifically called on Governor Nwifuru, as the chief executive of the state and a key figure in its security architecture, to ensure the provision of 24-hour security protection for him and his immediate family.
According to him, the proposed security arrangement should cover his private residence, office, children’s schools, places of public engagement and other locations considered necessary by security agencies.
The newspaper publisher also urged the governor to publicly condemn all forms of political violence, intimidation, attempted assassination and threats against opposition politicians, journalists, political supporters and other dissenting voices in the state.
Chidi maintained that political differences and criticism of government policies should never be grounds for intimidation or physical attacks, insisting that his position on governance in Ebonyi State was motivated by his desire for accountability, transparency and better leadership.
He further declared that no amount of intimidation would force him to abandon his convictions or surrender his constitutional right to freedom of expression.
“I will not abandon that responsibility because of threats or intimidation. Political disagreement must never translate into a death sentence, and criticism of government must never become an invitation to persecution,” he stated.
Raising further concerns about his personal safety, Chidi said he had deliberately made the incident public so that it would be formally documented, adding that should anything untoward happen to him or any member of his immediate family, the reported incident and his demand for security protection should form part of any subsequent investigation.
He, however, clarified that he was not accusing any individual of involvement in the reported incident but insisted that the authorities must act promptly rather than wait for a possible tragedy.
The publisher also advised security agencies and government institutions seeking his attention or cooperation to communicate through appropriate official channels, warning against the use of unidentified visitors, impersonation or suspicious late-night approaches to intimidate him and his family.
In addition, Chidi called on the National Security Adviser, the Inspector-General of Police, the Director-General of the Department of State Services (DSS), the National Human Rights Commission and the National Assembly to take an interest in the security situation in Ebonyi State.
He also appealed to relevant international human rights organisations, diplomatic missions and other stakeholders to monitor developments and take appropriate steps to discourage political intimidation and violence.
Reaffirming his position, Chidi said his demand was not for special privileges but for the protection of his fundamental right to life and the safety of his family as guaranteed by the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
Describing himself as a journalist, publisher and political commentator, he said his responsibility was to question government policies, demand accountability and speak in the interest of the people.
He stressed that disagreement with Governor Nwifuru or criticism of his administration should not make him an enemy deserving of intimidation or physical harm.
“The right to criticise government is not a crime. Political differences must never become a licence to threaten human life,” he declared.
Chidi concluded by urging Governor Nwifuru and the relevant security authorities to treat his concerns with urgency and responsibility, insisting that the safety of every Ebonyi citizen must be guaranteed irrespective of political affiliation or ideological differences.
