The family of Nollywood veteran John Okafor, popularly known as Mr. Ibu, has officially confirmed reports of his leg amputation and provided further details regarding his recent health challenges. Mr. Ibu celebrated his 62nd birthday in a hospital in October, and a video revealed the distressing condition of one of his legs, causing concern among his fans and well-wishers.

In a recent statement, Mr. Ibu’s family acknowledged that one of his legs was amputated temporarily as a measure to stabilize his health. They emphasized the actor’s ongoing need for support, especially since his other leg remains fragile.

Mr. Ibu has undergone a total of seven surgeries to address his medical issues. The decision to amputate one of his legs was made with the primary goal of preserving his life and improving his chances of a successful recovery.

The family expressed deep gratitude to all those who have provided support during this challenging period and recognized the significant assistance from well-wishers. They appealed for continued support and explained that Mr. Ibu’s condition remains delicate.

In their statement, they said:

“We

want to express our appreciation to everyone who has come forward to support our father. Saying ‘we are grateful’ is an understatement, and only the good Lord can thank you all enough for the help you’ve given. As of 1 pm today, our father has undergone 7 successful surgeries, but in order to keep him alive and improve his chances of recovery, one of his legs had to be amputated. This has been a difficult development for our family, but we have had to accept it as our father’s new reality to ensure his survival. We continue to seek support from well-meaning Nigerians because his situation remains delicate. Thank you to everyone; the Okafor family is grateful and does not take your support for granted. In due time, our father will personally acknowledge everyone who supported him during this period once he is stable.”

The news of Mr. Ibu’s amputation and ongoing health struggles has garnered an outpouring of support and well-wishes from both fans and the public. It has also sparked a discussion about the care and attention given to veteran creatives in the entertainment industry in both Ghana and Nigeria.