Dark October: “You’re Barking Over Nothing” – Linda Ikeji Replies Parents Of Slain Aluu-4

Popular blogger and media mogul, Linda Ikeji has replied the parents of the four students of the University of Port Harcourt killed in Aluu Community, in 2012, codenamed, Aluu-4.

On October 5, 2012, four Uniport students, Lloyd Toku-Mike, 19; Tekena Friday Elkanah, 20; Ugonna Kelechi Obuzor, 18; and Chidiala Loroson Biringa, 20, were lynched to death by some angry mobs when they visited Aluu community in Ikwerre Council Area of Rivers state.

It was said that they were in search of a debtor who owed one of them, but the debtor raised an alarm that the students were robbers who came to steal his valuables; thereby, the four of them were pounced on by mobs and eventually lynched.

Linda Ikeji, who has followed the case for years, made her debut into Nollywood with the release of a new movie titled ‘Dark October’ which centres around the murder of the four students.

Before “Dark October” was premiere on Netflix on the 3rd of February, the aggrieved parents of the four students had asked the blogger to immediately suspend any further action.

The families through a rights group, The Integrity Friends for Truth and Peace The initiative (TIFPI), said Linda Ikeji made the movie about their late children without consulting them.

Livingstone Wechie, who is the Executive Director of the TIFPI, in a statement he personally signed, alleged that Linda did not seek consent nor consult any of the families of the slain boys.

He claimed that the movie has opened up old memories of the parents and reawakened the already doused trauma caused by the tragic killing of their children, and wondered why the blogger would produce such a film without seeking consent.

Reacting in a statement on Friday, Linda said the parents fo the slain students are “backing over nothing” because the movie is a complete fiction work dedicated to the memory of Aluu 4.

She further advised them not to press charges as they are only wasting their time and resources, stresisng that the movie does not carry the names or images of the boys neither were their families represented in the film.

The blogger wrote, “Dear Livingston and partners, thank you so much for the press statement you put two days ago. It brought so much awareness to this film that talks about jungle justice as a menace in our society and the things that needs to be done to stop or curtail it.

You’re backing over nothing. Dark October is a complete work of fiction. Dedicated to the memory of Aluu 4. There are no facts in the film. I wish you’d watch it before taking any action because I guarantee you, you would be wasting your time and resources.

The movie does not carry the names or images of the boys mentioned. There are no family members represented in the film apart from a fictionalized mother and sister……”.

See some twitter reactions below:

If you’ve watched Linda Ikeji’s “Dark October”, you’ll have a little idea of what Lloyd, Tekena, Ugonna and Chidiaka went through on the October 5, 2012.
Watching that movie brought back sad memories.
4 lives wasted
Till date I only go to ALUU to see my Aunty. Hated the place pic.twitter.com/Ox16q9k6Tg

— Elikor Benson 🇳🇬 🇺🇸 (@ElikorBenson) February 4, 2023

If the parents of Aluu 4 boys decides to sue Linda tomorrow for cashing out on their sorrow, I support them 🙏. That aunty no dey ever learn.

— Ora🌹🌹 (@Chiora__) February 5, 2023

#DarkOctoberOnNetflix #Aluu4 I remember when my friend shared this song with me, the next day after their murder, I cried for weeks, I will play it and remember the horrific killing and cry again gosh, I had the song for years I kept asking myself what if 😭 pic.twitter.com/4PcBbSAb35

— IG- @Ms_alexix (@ms_alexix) February 4, 2023

If Linda Ikeji truly ignored ethical conducts before proceeding with a documentary projects like Aluu 4 then it’s worrisome that a media brand as hers will jeopardise the future of other documentary project.

It’s her muteness for me….

Like…is it pride or what? pic.twitter.com/2HwdZfzMQz

— Personality Highlights With Julie Uche (@iamjulieuche) February 5, 2023

Linda Ikeji honoured history by producing Dark October on Netflix about Aluu 4 story that depicts the abnormalities of jungle justice & man’s wickedness.

Those who criticize that movie have no idea of the importance of #BlackHistory

Not all movies are meant to be entertaining!

— Personality Highlights With Julie Uche (@iamjulieuche) February 5, 2023

Dark October isn’t giving aluu 4. There are so many lapses in the acting and script. If you saw the real video on YouTube years ago you’ll know Linda did a low-budget job or am I just hard to impress? #DarkOctoberOnNetflix

— Naya ♡☄︎º☕︎ ~SOLÁNA IMANI STAN~ ❦🫶🏻 (@bookxcupid) February 5, 2023

That’s the point, had it been she seeked and got the consent of the parents of the aluu 4. It would have been a fantastic story to see, for those that have the mind to watch such horrific movie.

— Mercy Egbai (@MercyEgbai) February 5, 2023

The story of the Aluu 4 is public knowledge. It is not considered an intellectual property of a particular individual or group. Matter of fact, the story is now an historical event. Therefore Linda Ikeji is not in violation of the right of privacy of the families involved.

— Darny Arts Anthony (@darny_arts) February 5, 2023

There is a book, inspired by the Aluu 4 incident. Nigerians don’t read, so they are incapable of doing so, but they want to sue Linda Ikeji, for ‘producing a film, loosely based on that.’ How I ended up as a Nigerian, is what I don’t know. In my next life, I will correct it.

— Dr. Onyeka Nwelue (@onyeka_nwelue) January 25, 2023

https://twitter.com/Mazipita/status/1618363582047227906?s=20&t=fBwEoIEDMOopLis10B9d2w

Linda Ikeji making a movie about the Aluu 4 victims isn’t a problem, cos anyone can make a movie about people, living or dead; But since the affected families disapproved, Linda should’ve cancelled the movie. She’s profiting from other people’s misfortune & that’s truly evil.

— Daniel Regha (@DanielRegha) February 5, 2023

I think we should all give Linda ikeji a break out problem is that we play emotion too much in the country u see that Aluu 4 story if a Nigerian don’t tell it a white man will steal it and tell it the way it suits them and nothing will happen.

Surulere Dear Obidients Dogara pic.twitter.com/Q8Ndi5fQfP

— Litmike (@Lithmike) February 5, 2023

The Aluu 4 story had to be told in film. Thanks Linda Ikeji. True, this story may not be welcome by the families concerned. But for the sake of them, for the sake of Deborah and many others, we need to remember. This film is the most useful film I have watched from Nigeria.

— Rukevwe Jacobs (@rukevwejacobs) February 5, 2023

Lol, even people that start recording dying victims of accident without trying to help save their life first just for social engagement and likes are shouting Linda Ikeji shouldn’t have produced a movie about Aluu 4 without consent. The irony of this woke Twitter users.

— King in the North (@StanleyEzihie) February 5, 2023

Linda Ikeji has the right to tell the story of the Aluu 4 without the consent of said families.

This is a Nigerian story and not a personal family story.

— Theophilus Ojukwu (@TheOjukwu) February 5, 2023

Sentiments Aside, Asking Linda Ikeji to obtain permission for her Aluu 4 inspired movie is like asking producers of “Half of a Yellow Sun” to take permission from all victims of the Biafran war.

— blunt (@Iamblaisedaniel) February 5, 2023

Nigerians can’t hide their hate for Linda Ikeji.. Burna boy made a song about EndSars none of u foamed in the mouth. So as other artist, nd other movie directors But Linda crossed d line for making a documentary about the Aluu 4, double standard will ke many of u in dis country

— QueenDoris ˢᵀ (@QueenDoris16) February 5, 2023

Linda ikeji have proven overtime, that she enjoys reaping from people’s misery. She is such a despicable & a heartless soul, releasing the movie after the parents of of the victim asked her not to, shows how wicked she is. I urge the parents to sue her sorry Ass.
Aluu 4 dogora

— Mercy Egbai (@MercyEgbai) February 5, 2023

KanyiDaily recalls that Linda Ikeji had also slammed the law firm for obtaining 25million damages against her over an article she published on her blog about Ajibola Ajayi, the daughter of former Governor of Oyo State, Abiola Ajimobi.