Nigerian auto dealer Ikechukwu Ogbonna, known publicly as IVD, has broken his silence about a years-long family rift, revealing he has had no contact with his five children for over three years. Speaking on The Honest Bunch podcast, the businessman alleged that his children’s maternal family severed ties between him and the minors, leaving him uncertain about their welfare.
“They kidnapped my five kids. I’ve not seen them till now. It’s been over three years,” Ogbonna stated during the interview, emphasizing his inability to communicate with them. He described the separation as involuntary, though he did not provide specific details about how or why the alleged estrangement occurred. Legal or custody proceedings were not explicitly mentioned, but Ogbonna framed the situation as a deliberate act by his late wife’s relatives. His children’s current whereabouts remain unclear.
The auto dealer’s personal life has drawn public attention since the death of his wife, Bimbo, in October 2022. She succumbed to injuries sustained in a fire at their Lagos residence, capping a marriage reportedly fraught with mutual accusations of domestic violence. While investigations into the incident were ongoing, neither party was formally charged before her passing. The couple’s 16-year relationship, which began when Bimbo was a teenager, frequently made headlines in Nigerian media due to their turbulent dynamic.
Amid the ongoing custody dispute, Ogbonna acknowledged finding stability in his new relationship with Nigerian relationship counselor Blessing Okoro, widely recognized as Blessing CEO. When pressed about rumors of infidelity within this partnership, he firmly denied the claims, responding, “God forbid. I swear with my life.”
The case has sparked broader conversations about parental rights, family law, and the psychological toll of prolonged separations. Child welfare advocates in Nigeria have previously highlighted gaps in legal frameworks addressing custody battles, particularly when disputes involve extended families. While Ogbonna’s allegations remain untested in court, his remarks underscore the complexities of navigating familial conflicts in the wake of tragedy.
As the story continues to unfold, observers note the stark contrast between Ogbonna’s current quest for peace and the unresolved questions surrounding his children’s welfare. Public reactions remain divided, with some expressing sympathy for his parental struggles and others critiquing his handling of past domestic disputes. Neither representatives for Bimbo’s family nor Nigerian authorities have issued recent statements regarding the case.
