Award-winning filmmaker and media personality Chude Jideonwo has officially announced the release date for his latest short film, “Where is Chijioke?”, the second chapter in his immersion journalism project centered on the #EndSARS movement.
The film focuses on the harrowing 10-day protest led by Obianuju Iloanya, who has been relentlessly seeking justice for her brother, Chijioke, who has been missing since 2012.
Chijioke was only 20 years old when he was arrested by officers from the notorious Akwuzu Special Anti-Robbery Squad (SARS) unit in Anambra State, under the command of Chief Superintendent of Police James Nwafor. Since his arrest, his family has not seen or heard from him, sparking a years-long fight for accountability.
“We began telling Obianuju’s story after the #EndSARS protests in 2020,” said Jideonwo. “In a country where tragedies are quickly forgotten, Obianuju’s persistence has been both inspiring and heartbreaking. After releasing “Awaiting Trial” in 2022, which highlighted her struggle, we committed ourselves to follow her journey as long as she continues it.”
Jideonwo described the project as “art as resistance”—a form of opposition to a system that repeatedly silences victims of oppression. He emphasized that the project is not just about telling one story, but about resisting the tendency to move on too quickly from the pain and suffering of ordinary Nigerians.
The film is co-written by Jideonwo and Dami Orimogunje, with Bolu Akindele serving as associate producer and ‘Yemi Adamolekun as co-executive producer. The original soundtrack was composed by Ava Momoh, while Tunde Apalowo supervised the editing. Presented by “Chude Jideonwo Presents”, the film promises to keep the conversation around the #EndSARS movement alive.
“Where is Chijioke?” will premiere on Arise TV, Channels TV, AIT, Wazobia Max, and Rave TV, and will be available on-demand via the streaming platform www.withChude.com.