Why Mr Ibu’s leg was cut off – Former manager

Emeka Chochoo, the former manager of actor John Okafor, popularly known as Mr Ibu, has disclosed the reason one of the actor’s legs was amputated.

The actor’s family announced Ibu’s amputation in a statement shared via Instagram on November 6, 2023.

The statement read: “Good afternoon, Nigerians. We want to appreciate everyone who has come through for our dad, saying we are grateful is an understatement and only the good Lord can thank you all enough for every help you’ve rendered.

“As of 1 pm, noon today, Daddy has gone through 7 successful surgeries but to keep him alive and increase his chances of recovery, one of his legs had to be amputated. This development has been hard on us all but we’ve had to accept it as Daddy’s new reality to keep him alive.

Please we are still soliciting for support from well-meaning Nigerians as this stage Daddy is still one very delicate one and he needs all the help he can get.

“Thank you, everyone, the Okafor family is grateful and we don’t take you for granted. In due time Daddy will personally acknowledge everyone who supported during this period as soon as he’s stable!”

Speaking during a phone conversation with Punch on Thursday, Emeka Chochoo said the amputation became necessary because of an infection of the arteries at the ankle that was not detected early enough.

Chochoo confirmed that the actor was responding to treatment.

“I was with him up until yesterday. I worked as Mr Ibu’s manager for over a decade.

“He is responding well to treatment; he is gradually healing,” he said.

The talent manager also spoke on the actor’s medical journey, saying doctors have continued to treat several ailments one after the other, adding that the amputation came to being following an infection of his artery that was not caught early enough.

“The doctors are treating everything one after the other. What led to the amputation of one of his legs was an infection that affected one of the arteries at the ankle.

“Blood wasn’t flowing into the leg, which was not detected on time. When it was, it had become too late, causing the doctors to decide on the amputation.”

Chochoo also stated that the surgery was done in Nigeria, but the actor will soon be flown abroad for further treatment.

“The surgery was done in Nigeria. He will soon be flown out of the country for further treatment but for now, he is being cared for in Nigeria,” he said.