Why Gumi, a man who dresses like terrorist bandits, associates, sympathizes with, and negotiates for them publicly, and his likes walk free while others are harrased, hounded, and many times, arrested is beyond any rational mind; you be the judge.
Veteran Nollywood actor Chiwetalu Agu was arrested by the Nigerian Army on October 7, has been released following public criticism of the army’s illegality.
The Nollywood actor was arrested on Thursday in Onitsha by soldiers for wearing an outfit themed after the separatist state.
Unverified accounts by locals in the south-eastern state of Anambra who witnessed the incident had claimed the army publicly manhandled Chiwetalu, searched his vehicle, and fired shots to scare off the crowd that gathered.
In response, the army had denied assaulting the comic actor. It also clarified that Chiwetalu was arrested after he publicly displayed his solidarity for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB), a proscribed separatist group.
The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement on Thursday, said Agu, a Nollywood actor, was arrested while allegedly wearing a very well known attire of the proscribed group.
According to him, the Nigerian army recognises the inalienable rights of the citizenry to freedom of movement and expression as enshrined in the Constitution.
Nwachukwu however stressed that violation of the law by any individual or group to incite the public and cause mayhem will not be tolerated.
“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 how the activities of the group took a violent dimension in recent times,” he said.
According to him, the ongoing Exercises to rid the region of all forms of criminality are on course.
“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,” he said.
Mr. Chiwetalu Agu, the Nollywood actor, that was allegedly brutalised by the Nigerian Army during his arrest and detention, has been released following public criticism of the army’s illegality.
Mr Agu’s release was confirmed via a video posted by another actor, on his Instagram page on Friday.
Many media houses had reported that Mr Agu was apprehended by Nigerian soldiers on October 7, while wearing a red, black and green coloured garment with the depiction of a rising sun as he engaged in a charity exercise distributing food items.
The Nigerian Army said the actor was arrested for inciting members of the public and soliciting for support for the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
Why Gumi, a man who dresses like terrorist bandits, associates, sympathizes with, and negotiates for them publicly, and his likes walk free while others are harrased, hounded, and many times, arrested is beyond any rational mind; you be the judge.
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