December 28, (THEWILL) – Imo State governor, Hope Uzodinma, on Monday apologised to the public over how Chief Uche Nwosu was arrested during a church service at the St Peter’s Anglican Church, Eziama Obaire in the Nkwerre Local Government Area of the state on Sunday.
THEWILL reports that Nwosu and his family were at St Peter’s Anglican Church for a thanksgiving service on Sunday, 26th December, 2021, when armed security operatives in an Armoured Personnel Carrier and Toyota Hilux vans stormed the area.
They shot indiscriminately before taking Nwosu away, as his security aides watched helplessly.
Although Nwosu has been released by the police, the manner in which the arrest was effected has generated condemnation.
However, in what could best be described as an apology, the Imo State Government in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, said the governor held the Anglican Church and the church of God in general in high esteem.
The statement disclosed that the security threats posed by the development necessitated the manner Nwosu, who is a son-in-law to former governor of the state, Rochas Okorocha, was arrested.
The statement read, “The Imo State Government is aware of the futile efforts by some people to whip up public sentiments against it over the arrest in an Anglican Church of Mr Uche Nwosu. The plan is to de-emphasise the possible criminality behind his arrest by playing up the desecration of a church.
“For the avoidance of doubt, while the government believes that no stone should be spared in the effort to rid the state of criminality and banditry, it will not support any form of disrespect for a place of worship by security agencies.
“In this regard, the arrest of Mr Nwosu within the church premises could have been avoided and therefore stands condemned.
“While the government regrets the manner the arrest was made, we wish to emphasise that since it was purely a security matter, the full reason why such an action was taken will eventually unfold, and perhaps guide the public better.
“Government therefore wishes to appeal to those negatively affected by the action to bear with the security agencies.
“His Excellency, the Executive Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma, holds the Anglican Communion in very high esteem and will never support any act that will disrespect her reverential status as a place of Divine worship.
“Government will continue to protect the interest of the citizens of the state while not impeding the work of security agencies.”
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