Parents of the four University of Port Harcourt students killed in Aluu Community in 2012, codenamed Aluu-4, have urged seasoned blogger Linda Ikeji and Netflix to postpone the planned premiere of their new film titled ‘Dark October,’ which centers on their four children’s murder.
The families were helped by a rights organization called The Integrity Friends for Truth and Peace.
According to TIFPI, Linda Ikeji made the film about their late children without consulting them.
TIFPI, on the other hand, said in a statement issued yesterday in Port Harcourt by its Executive Director, Livingstone Wechie, that the film, which was made without the consent of the four families, has reawakened the already dormant trauma caused by the tragic death of their children.
“The attention of the four bereaved families of the ill-fated Aluu 4 incident has been drawn to a widely advertised movie titled “Dark October,” which was produced by a known blogger named Linda Ikeji, as stated therein,” Wechie said.
“For the record, and sadly, Linda Ikeji produced the film without seeking the permission of the affected families and parents of the unforgettable Aluu 4 victims.
“The question for Linda Ikeji is, can you cry more than the bereaved, or do you lack conscience and humanity as the parent you have become?”
He claimed that Ikeji acted on her own accord without considering meeting the families of the four killed innocent students, and that her actions meant that the victims had no families.
“For the umpteenth time, I have been instructed in writing through my organisation The Integrity Friends for Truth and Peace Initiative TIFPI by the four affected families, that is the parents of late Lloyd Toku-Mike, Chiadika Biringa, Ugoing to Obuzor and Tekena Elkanah to represent them and ensure that justice is done in this matter.
“This is to the effect that Linda Ikeji acted both of her own volition and on a frolic of her own as she failed, refused and neglected to seek the consent of the affected and families/parents of these boys whose names and the story of the Aluu 4 incident form the entire essence of the said movie.
“It is important to state that Linda Ikeji’s inexcusable and desperate action on this blood-laced story in what is now known globally as Aluu 4 or Uniport4 may falsely or arrogantly indicate that these innocent boys do not come from homes, which is not only illegal, but also inhuman and un-African of one who should know better.”
Wechie emphasized that the film is based on a true story, and that the families should be consulted prior to production.
He demanded that the companies involved halt the planned premiere and make an effort to meet with the families of the four late students.
“To this end, on behalf of the parents/families of the Aluu 4, we hold that the production and distribution of this movie by Linda Ikeji without the consent and consultation with the affected families/parents is insensitive, mischievous and unacceptable.
“As a result, we demand that Linda Ikeji and her business partners, including Netflix, FilmOne Entertainment Company, and others, immediately retract and suspend any further actions, including the premiere scheduled for February 3, 2023, and any other date pending and subject to consultations and express consent of the affected families who are at the receiving end of the entire assault,” the statement says.
