By Emma Ogbuehi
Following the intense backlash over the gestapo-style arrest of Uche Nwosu at a church by the police on Sunday, Imo State government has also joined in condemning the assault.
Fingers of blame are pointing in the direction of Governor Hope Uzodimma who is locked in a supremacy battle with the former Imo State Governor, Senator Rochas Okorocha.
Okorocha is the father-in-law of Uche Nwosu who contested the 2019 governorship election on the platform of Action Alliance (AA) with the backing of the former governor.
In a statement on Monday, Imo State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, said the arrest of Uche Nwosu at the church premises stands condemned.
The statement reads: “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.
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“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 government regrets the manner the arrest was made we wish to emphasize 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 citizens of the state while not impeding the work of security agencies.”
