The Nigerian Army has defended the arrest of Nollywood actor Chiwetalu Agu by its troops.
The Army claimed that Agu was inciting members of the public and soliciting support for the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra , when he was arrested.
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The Director, Army Public Relations, Brig.-Gen. Onyema Nwachukwu, in a statement aid Agu, a Nollywood actor, was arrested while allegedly wearing a very well known attire of the proscribed group.
The statement accused Agu of attempting to put up some resistance when troops made effort to take him into custody but denied he was assaulted or brutalised.
The Army spokesman said although the Nigerian army recognized the inalienable rights of the citizenry to freedom of movement and expression as enshrined in the Constitution but violation of the law by any individual or group to incite the public and cause mayhem will not be tolerated.
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“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 how the activities of the group took a violent dimension in recent times,” he said.
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