By Uche Amunike
Nigerian socio-political activist, Reno Omokri has tasked the Nigerian army who arrested veteran actor Chiwetalu Agu, Thursday, to also arrest Sheikh Ahmad Gumi and Miyetti Allah organizations for all their threats to Nigerians.
He made this call while reacting to the arrest of Chiwetalu Agu, who was molested by the Nigerian Army troops for allegedly sensitizing people about Biafra.
The Actor was accosted when he was walking around the Upper Iweka bridge in Anambra state. He was reportedly serving food to the less privileged when they stopped him and molested him for wearing the Biafra clothing. He allegedly resisted arrest which made them wrestle him to the ground and drag him to their vehicle, from where he was taken away for questioning.
Reacting to the incident, the Army Public Relations Officer, Brig. Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu said that the veteran actor was arrested for inciting members of the public and soliciting support for the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.
Omokri however kicked against the arrest of the Thespian, saying that the fact that Sheikh Gumi and Miyetti Allah members are allowed to walk around freely indicated a lack of justice in Nigeria.
Below are some of his tweets to that effect:
‘Miyetti Allah hold press conferences to threaten violence on Nigerians and make provocative statements to the effect that Southern Nigerians belongs to them’.
‘Soldiers and DSS don’t arrest them. Chiwetalu Agu wore a Biafran flag and was arrested. Where is the justice?’
‘Sheikh Gumi campaigns for terrorists and sings their praises. Even telling them on camera that Christian soldiers are the ones killing them, thus they should not kill Muslims. He is free while Chiwetalu Agu was arrested? Nigeria cannot have peace without justice!’
Nwachukwu however denied that the actor was assaulted or brutalized like is being claimed generally, but said he attempted putting up some resistance and the troops made efforts to take him into custody.
He explained that even though 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 also a violation for any individual or group to incite breakdown of law and order or the public to cause mayhem.
He advised that it is very important to understand that while exercising such freedoms, it must be done within the confines of the law, bearing in mind the need for peace and national security.
He added that the IPOB still remains proscribed, which means that any individual or group that is seen to be projecting and advancing the activities of the group is viewed as presently challenging the constitutionality of the Federal Republic of Nigeria.
The Nigerian army accused Agu of showing an uncharitable disposition to breach the peace and security in the Eastern region and added that, that was the reason why he was taken into custody for preliminary investigation.
He reiterated that the Army will not allow IPOB and its sponsors to hold the region captive and allow the present security situation being witnessed by the citizenry to degenerate.
He charged individuals and groups who fan the embers of violence to desist, otherwise face the consequences if apprehended.
