The Human Rights Writers Association Of Nigeria (HURIVA) has tackled the Department of State Service (DSS) for ignoring Kaduna-based cleric, Sheikh Ahmad Gumi and instead, arresting veteran Nollywood actor, Chiwetalu Agu for wearing IPOB regalia.
According to a statement signed by HURIWA National Coordinator, Emmanuel Onwubiko, “The military and the DSS have clearly shown their inclinations towards ethnic profiling because on more than one occasion the Kaduna-based Islamic cleric Sheikh Ahmad Gumi was seen holding nocturnal meetings with the terrorists who kidnapped many school children and held them hostage for months in the forests but despite the obvious evidence that the said Ahmad Gumi made many television and newspaper appearances and granted extensive interviews including the one that he accused the military of helping to weaponise terrorists in the North-West, there was never any attempt on the part of the DSS or Army to invite him or arrest him for these treasonous acts of fraternizing and colluding with terrorists.
“But the Igbo Actor Chiwetalu Agu wore just a cloth with the flag of the defunct Biafra Republic which is not unlawful but the Army tortured him and thereafter handed him over to the DSS and the DSS is now saying that justice would be done and we ask, which justice? This is pure ethnic profiling and vendetta which is unconstitutional.”
T“We demand the immediate release of Mr Chinwetalu Agu by the DSS or they charge him to court so the world will see how low the country Nigeria has degenerated in the practice of apartheid policies by the current administration that releases and reintegrate Boko Haram Islamic terrorists.”
NewsWireNGR recalls Agu was arrested by troops of the Nigerian Army for wearing IPOB regalia.
According to a statement by the Army, Chinwetalu Agu was “dressed in a very well known attire of the proscribed group, was picked up for questioning while inciting members of the public to join the proscribed group”.
The Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) also condemned Agu for wearing a Biafra regalia which led to his arrest.
Meanwhile, his release by the Army was facilitated by the AGN.
Commenting after his release, Agu said, “Keep supporting Nollywood. It’s the only hope we have to sustain both our public and private lives.”
He was picked by the DSS after his release by the Army.
