The Nigerian Army has explained that popular Nollywood Actor, Chiwetalu Agu, was arrested for soliciting support for the Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
Brigadier-General Onyema Nwachukwu, the spokesman for the Army, provided this explanation in a statement on Thursday, under the title, ‘Troops Arrest Chiwetalu Agu While Soliciting Support for Proscribed IPOB’.
Nwachukwu added however that contrary to reports in social media, the actor was not brutalised but only detained.
“Troops of Nigerian Army have arrested one Chiwetalu Agu while inciting members of the public and soliciting for support for the proscribed IPOB, the statement said.
“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 brutalisation.”
Onyema said that while the army recognises the inalienable rights of Nigerians to freedom of movement and expression as enshrined in the constitution, it is 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,” it said.
According to the statement, IPOB remains proscribed, warning that any individual or group seen to be projecting and advancing the cause or activities of the group.
Agu had clearly demonstrated uncharitable disposition to negate peace and security in the region, hence, he is taken into custody for preliminary investigation, the Army said.
“It is important to once again place on record that the allegation that he was brutalised is false and should be disregarded accordingly,” the statement concluded.