DEATH THREAT! Journalist Cries Out As Delta LGA Chairman Threatens To Kill Him; SEE Details
In a chilling development, investigative journalist Prince Amour Udemude, based in Delta State, has sounded the alarm over threats to his life. The threats allegedly came from Jaro Egbo, the chairman of Ughelli North Local Government Area, popularly known as ” High Voltage. ”
The journalist claims that Egbo vowed to take his life if he proceeded with publishing a report on the sudden and steep increase in rent for locked- up shops and open market spaces in the region.
The controversy surrounding Egbo’ s administration began after the recent local council elections. Barely three weeks after taking office, Egbo was accused by residents of Ughelli North of implementing what they describe as ” draconian policies” reminiscent of the controversial measures introduced by President Bola Tinubu.
According to the residents, who are mainly small business owners, the new chairman dramatically raised the yearly rent for market shops from N5, 000 to a staggering N240, 000. Additionally, the fee for obtaining a certificate of local government origin, typically N2, 500, was increased to N16, 000.
These hikes have sparked widespread outrage and protests, with many residents expressing fear over the financial burden placed on them, particularly during a time of economic hardship. Despite these protests, Egbo, according to sources, remains unyielding, reportedly pushing forward with the policies despite the clear distress it has caused among the local populace.
Amidst this tense atmosphere, Udemude, an experienced journalist known for his fearless reporting, decided to investigate the matter further. On Thursday, he reached out to Chairman Egbo to seek clarification on the reasons behind the sudden price hikes. However, the conversation took a dark turn. Udemude recalls that Egbo immediately accused him of blackmail before launching into a tirade of threats.
In Udemude’ s words, ” The chairman didn’ t even let me finish my question. He called me a blackmailer and told me not to try it with him. He warned me that if I proceeded with the report, he would ensure that I wouldn’ t live to tell the story. He threatened to remove my teeth, bring me down, and warned me to ask the Chief Press Secretary to the Governor about who he is, saying that he’ s a very dangerous man. ”
The journalist further detailed how Egbo brazenly stated that he would track him down and inflict harm if the story was published. ” He told me that if I dared to publish the story, I would be wiped off the face of the earth and that I wouldn’ t survive in Delta State. He even claimed that the rent for the shops and market spaces hadn’ t expired until March next year, implying that any reports of the hikes were premature. ”
This disturbing incident highlights the perilous environment in which journalists in Nigeria often operate. Udemude’ s experience is a stark reminder of the risks faced by media professionals, particularly those who dare to hold powerful figures accountable. Despite the threats, Udemude has not remained silent. He has reported the incident to relevant authorities and is taking precautions to protect himself and his family.
Udemude also took the opportunity to inform the public about the situation. ” I’ m not taking this lightly. I want to make it clear that if anything happens to me or my family, Jaro Egbo, also known as High Voltage, should be held responsible. I was simply doing my job as a journalist when I reached out to him, and he responded with threats to my life. ”
The journalist’ s fears are not unfounded. In recent years, Nigeria has witnessed a troubling increase in violence against journalists. Reporters Without Borders and other watchdog organizations have frequently ranked Nigeria as one of the most dangerous countries for journalists in Africa. The threats against Udemude add to a growing list of cases where journalists have faced intimidation, harassment, and even physical violence for their work.
The incident has sparked outrage among Udemude’ s colleagues and media rights groups, who are calling for immediate action to ensure his safety. They argue that a free press is essential to any functioning democracy and that threats against journalists must be taken seriously and addressed with urgency.
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As the situation unfolds, the public is watching closely to see how the authorities respond to this alarming case. Will they take the necessary steps to protect Udemude and ensure that the threats against him do not materialize? Or will this be another case where a journalist is left vulnerable to the whims of a powerful local official?
For now, Udemude remains vigilant, determined to continue his work despite the dangers. His courage in the face of such threats underscores the vital role that journalists play in exposing the truth, even when it puts their lives at risk.
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