Well-known Nigerian actor John Okafor, well known by his stage as Mr. Ibu, lost one leg amputated due to an unidentified illness.
According to his relatives, the amputation was necessary to keep him alive.
On Monday, November 6, 2023, Mr. Ibu's family wrote a message on his Instagram profile. The statement said the family was still hoping for the best for the well-known actor and that they still required financial support from the public to help with his maintenance.
“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 p.m., today, Daddy has gone through seven 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 support from well-meaning Nigerians as, at this stage, Daddy is still very delicate, 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 him during this period as soon as he’s stable.”
In October of last year, Mr. Ibu personally requested financial assistance from the public to help with the unidentified illness that had left him bedridden for many weeks.
Even at that point, he mentioned that if everything else failed to improve his health, his physicians had recommended amputation.
I'm still lying down in the hospital as I write this, but I'm asking for prayers and help. This hospital's medical director indicated that chopping off my leg would be the next best thing if his novel concept failed. Just consider me: where would I go if my leg were severed? Please pray for me; I would really appreciate it if you wouldn't take off my leg. God bless you.