The Nigerian Army reveals the True Reason behind Actor Chinwetalu Agu’s Arrest
In the early hours of Thursday, October 7, Popular Nollywood actor, Chinwetalu Agu, was reportedly harassed by soldiers for wearing an outfit with colours of the Biafran flag. It was gathered that the incident occurred in the Upper Iweka area of Anambra state.
His arrest caused outbursts on social media and majorly the Eastern part of Nigeria. Reno Omokri happened to be one of those individuals who didn’t take the actor’s arrest likely. Expressing his disgust, he wrote;
“Miyetti Allah hold press conferences to threaten revenge on Nigerians and make provocative statements to the effect that Southern Nigeria belongs to them. Yet soldiers and DSS don’t arrest them.
Chiwetalu Agu wore a Biafran flag and was arrested. Where is justice? In this same country, Sheikh Gumi has been campaigning for bandits and terrorists and singing their praises, and even telling them on camera that Christian soldiers are the ones killing them and thus they should not kill Muslims.
He is free as a bird, while Chiwetalu Agu was arrested? Nigeria can’t have peace without justice!”
However, revealing the true reason behind his arrest, the Defense Headquarters said they arrested Chiwetalu Agu while he was soliciting support for the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
Onyema Nwachukwu, the Director Army Public Relations released a statement addressing the allegations of the Nigerian Army brutalizing Chinwetalu Agu:
“Dressed in a very well-known attire of the proscribed group, Chiwetalu Agu was picked up for questioning while inciting members of the public to join the proscribed group. Though he attempted putting up some resistance when troops made effort to take him into custody, he was not assaulted or subjected to brutalization.
While the NA recognizes the inalienable rights of the citizenry to freedom of movement and expression as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it is apparently a violation for any individual or group to incite the public to cause mayhem or break down of law and order. It is therefore pertinent to state that while exercising such freedoms, it must be done within the confines of the law, bearing in mind the imperative for peace, and national security.
For the avoidance of doubt and emphasis, the Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) remains proscribed. Therefore, any individual or group seen to be projecting and advancing the cause or activities of the group is viewed as brazenly challenging the constitutionality of the Federal Republic of Nigeria. More worrisome was the fact that considering the prevailing security situation of the region, coupled with the ongoing Exercise GOLDEN DAWN , his action could be a tacit endorsement and support for the proscribed group. We have all witnessed the activities of the group take a violent dimension in recent times.
Chinwetalu Agu has clearly demonstrated an uncharitable disposition to negate peace and security in the region, hence, he is taken into custody for preliminary investigation. It is important to once again place on record that the allegation that he was brutalized is false and should be disregarded accordingly.
While the NA would not allow IPOB and its sponsors to hold the region captive and allow the security situation to degenerate, it is instructive to restate that national interest supersedes any parochial consideration. Individuals or groups who fan the embers of violence are warned to desist or face the consequences of their actions. The ongoing Exercises are on course and will rid the region of all forms of criminality.
The peace-loving and law-abiding people of the South East are enjoined to please go about their normal activities, as efforts are ongoing to bring perpetrators of violence to book. They are equally urged to continue to support the security agencies to restore normalcy to the region in furtherance of peace.
ONYEMA NWACHUKWU
Brigadier General
Director Army Public Relations
7 October 2021″.
