An Onitsha based solar lights dealer has alleged that he was forced to pay ₦3.5 million under threat of violence after being invited to a community in Imo State on the promise of an ₦80 million solar street-light project.
Mr. Chukwudi, who deals in solar lights, said the incident occurred in Elelem, Ngor Okpala Local Government Area. According to his account, a man contacted him by phone and claimed the community wanted to install solar street lights sponsored by one of its sons living in Canada. He asked Chukwudi to prepare a quotation.
Chukwudi said he submitted the quotation, after which the caller allegedly asked him to inflate the price so that part of the extra amount could be used to “settle” him for facilitating the contract. Chukwudi said he agreed and adjusted the figures.
He was later invited to present the quotation before community members. Travelling from Onitsha in his Toyota Corolla with a friend, Chukwudi said he was met by a man in a Lexus SUV who led them along increasingly isolated roads into a bushy area. At a police checkpoint along the way, officers greeted the man in the Lexus warmly, which Chukwudi said initially reassured him.
Upon arrival, chairs were brought out and residents including young people, middle-aged adults and elders gathered. Old, non-functioning solar lights were shown to him. A Canadian number then called, and the voice on the line allegedly confirmed an ₦80 million project with a ₦40 million part-payment due the next day.
When Chukwudi prepared to leave and return once the funds arrived, the atmosphere changed. He said he was told he must first “settle” the community: ₦1 million for the youths, ₦1 million for the women, ₦1 million for the elders and ₦500,000 for kola, totalling ₦3.5 million. He was told the payment would prove the money from Canada would reach a “safe hand.”
Chukwudi said he refused, pointing out that no project funds had been paid to him. He alleged that two men who had been standing nearby with guns then moved and displayed their weapons. Fearing for his safety, he transferred the ₦3.5 million. He said he was prevented from recording or photographing the proceedings, though the man who brought him later sent a photograph of some of those present, which Chukwudi forwarded to another of his own WhatsApp accounts before it was deleted.
After the transfer, the atmosphere became friendly again. He was told he could deduct the ₦3.5 million from the expected project funds and return once the Canadian payment arrived.
The following day, the supposed Canadian sponsor called again, claiming difficulty transferring the money and requesting ₦450,000 to release the funds. A man described as the sponsor’s brother then tried to persuade Chukwudi to provide the amount. By then, Chukwudi said he had concluded the entire arrangement was a scam designed to lure and extort him. He told the caller as much; the call was ended and he was blocked.
Chukwudi described the episode as an organised operation. He said he repeatedly thought about what might have happened had he not had the ₦3.5 million available that day.
The account is based solely on Mr. Chukwudi’s narration. The allegations have not been independently verified, and the identities and roles of those involved remain to be established by the appropriate authorities.
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