Nigerians have berated Nigerian Army for arresting veteran Nollywood actor, Chiwetala Agu on allegation of identifying with Indigenous Peoples of Biafra.
Agu was arrested by the Nigerian Army at Upper Iweka, Onitsha, Anambra State for putting on Biafra regalia to solicit support for IPOB, and was reportedly taken to 82 Division Enugu.
Actor Ugezu Ugezu has condemned the arrest of veteran actor and claimed that Nigerian authorities are senselessly pushing people to the wall with their so glaring double standard in the application of rule of justice.
Reacting to the viral video, the actor wrote ”The authorities in Nigeria are so senselessly pushing people to the wall with their so glaring double standard in the application of the rules of Justice.
”Guns do kill, but guns are not everything,’’ Ugezu declared.
Moreover, actor Walter Anga has reacted to the decision of the Nigerian Army to arrest veteran actor, Chiwetalu Agu, for spotting an outfit that had the Biafran flag on it.
Reacting via his IG page, displeased Anga wrote, ”A man that has spent almost his lifetime putting smile’s in every home even when you the man is out there struggling to put food on the table for your family.
”Can this be done to any northerner? Northerners even go as much as wearing camo on the streets….Na God go judge una.”
However, the President of the Actors Guild of Nigeria, Emeka Rollas, has reacted to the arrest of veteran Nollywood actor, Chiwetalu Agu by the Nigerian Army on Thursday, October 7.
Emeka Rollas, president of Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN), has now reacted to his arrest, knocking the actor for wearing the Biafra insignia especially given the security situation in the South East.
He said that the Guild is doing everything possible to ensure Chiwetalu Agu is released.
“I don’t know why he put on Biafra regalia. The state is hot,” Rochas told Vanguard.
”We are in talk with the military officials to ensure he his released. I heard they have taken him to 82 Division of the Nigeria Military base. We will do our best.”
Earlier, the Nigerian Army had said Chiwetala Agu’s actions negates the peace efforts in the region given the security situation in the state that has degenerated in the past few months leading to wanton killings and kidnappings.
In a statement signed by the Director of Army public relations, Brigadier General Onyema Nwachukwu, the Nigerian army says contrary to reports of brutalization, the veteran actor was merely taken into custody for further investigation.
He said, “Troops of the Nigerian Army (NA) have arrested one Chiwetalu Agu while inciting members of the public and soliciting for support for the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).
“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.”
The Nigerian Army, however, acknowledges the rights of individuals of expression but stressed that such rights “must be done within the confines of the law, bearing in mind the imperative for peace, and national security.”
“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.
The Army noted that Agu was not brutalised as reported in sections of the media but was merely taken into custody for further investigation.
“Chiwetalu 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.
