The Nigerian Army has given real
reasons why it arrested and detained veteran Nollywood actor, Chiwetalu Agu,
last month.
The Nigerian Army’s high command
said it arrested and detained Agu for adorning himself with the flag of a
proscribed group capable of sparking controversies that could endanger the
safety and security of lives and property.
The Army also denied accusations
of torturing the elderly actor.
The Nigerian Army said this while
responding to a protest letter sent to the Chief of Army Staff by the Human
Rights Writers Association of Nigeria (HURIWA) titled; “letter of protest on
maltreatment of Actor Chinwetalu Agu” dated 8 October 2021.
HURIWA had called out the
Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services (DSS), accusing the security
outfits of exhibiting overwhelming tendencies of ethnic profiling targeting the
people of the South East and Igbo-speaking Nigerians following Agu’s arrest last
month.
However, the Nigerian Army
responding said, “I’m directed to acknowledge your letter dated 8 October 2021
on the above-mentioned subject. I’m further directed to inform you, that your
concerns have been duly noted by the Nigerian Army.
“However, the NA hasn’t violated
any constitutional provisions on torture. It’s important to point out that the
NA, in line with the Constitution, can perform certain roles such as arrest and
investigation, if it’s in defence of the welfare of the entire citizenry. In
that light and taking into consideration the nature of the security situation
in the country, the actions of Chiwetalu Agu adorning himself with the flag of
a proscribed group is capable of sparking controversies that could endanger
safety and security loss of lives and property. It’s pertinent to be reminded
about the many atrocities committed by this proscribed group in recent times,
such as the unwarranted and selective attacks on security personnel and
facilities as well as the Sit at Home Order which its leaders have constantly
initiated.
“Deriving from this narrative, it
must be unambiguously stated that there is no law that restricts the NA in
circumstances of a security breach, from arresting a suspect and conducting
investigations and thereafter releasing or handing over such suspect to the
Nigeria Police for further investigation where necessary. In this case,
Chiwetalu Agu was arrested, investigated and subsequently released. The NA is a
respecter of human rights and due process and would never succumb to any form
of impunity.
“Please accept the esteemed
regards of the best wishes of the Chief of Army Staff.”
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