The Nigeria Army made a confirmation on the arrest of veteran Nollywood actor, Chinwetalu Agu, for allegedly inciting members of the public thereby soliciting for support for the proscribed Indegenous People of Biafra (IPOB). The comic thespian was seen dressed in a very well known attire of the proscribed group.
The whole incident was seen in a viral video revealing how soldiers manhandled Chinwetalu Agu publicly, the Army thereby in a statement by its spokesman Onyema Nwachkwu on Thursday stated that the actor was only picked up for questioning.
A part of the statement read, “While the Nigerian Army 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 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 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 Nigerian Army 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 supercedes 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.”
The veteran actor was on a charitable mission , sharing food items to the less privileged in the commercial town when the soldiers spotted him.
In a trending video, The veteran is presumed to must have been manhandled by the Nigerian military men in Uniform at the point by that time.
