Veteran Actor Agu Narrates how he was Treated by DSS Operatives

Veteran Actor Agu Narrates how he was Treated by DSS Operatives

Francis Tayor

 

Nollywood actor, Chinwetalu Agu, has revealed how he was treated by the operatives of the Nigerian Army and the Department of State Services (DSS) while he was in their custody.

Agu was arrested in Onitsha, Anambra State by soldiers last week for putting on a Biafran outfit and conveyed to the Nigerian Army headquarters, Enugu.

He was soon released and again was rearrested by the secret police who transferred him to Abuja for further interrogation.

The actor, however, disclosed that the security operatives treated him with respect in detention despite the outrage that greeted his arrest, Daily Trust reports.

It took the intervention of the Actors Guild of Nigeria (AGN) before the Nigerian army could release him, but Agu said the DSS operatives also did not find anything incriminating with him, even on his phone.

During a welcome back event organised by the AGN members, Chinwetalu said, “It didn’t start well but God took control. I was only buying bread for the poor. Soldiers came in and started scattering things.

He said, “They said they were calling me in the office but they did not tell me my offence. Because they did not tell me my offence, I refused to follow them.

“That drama that took place was important so that they will know that Igbo are here. That moment of Upper Iweka till the time we got to the army barracks close to Zik Mausoleum, to 82 Division of the Nigerian Army and to DSS office in Abuja, nobody touched me. They treated me with respect.

“Every officer wanted to be involved in the case so that they can have the opportunity to interact with Chiwetalu Agu.”

Agu was arrested in Onitsha, Anambra State by soldiers last week for putting on a Biafran outfit and subsequently conveyed to the Nigerian Army headquarters, Enugu.

He was soon released and later rearrested by the secret police who transferred him to Abuja for further interrogations.

Also speaking with Broadway TV after his release, the Nollywood actor said he was not beaten up when he was detained by the Department of State Services (DSS).

According to him, his controversial outfit has no connection to Biafra, the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) or its militant arm, Eastern Security Network (ESN).

The actor said the outfit represents the rising sun, to mean progress from one position to a better one.

However, regarding his views about Nigeria’s unity, Agu said, “We all must rise, I preached that everyone should rise from their position wherever they are with my costume.

“My costume was rising sun, not Biafra, Ojukwu propagated rising sun making it as a symbol for Igbos as they like to progress. If you look at Africa, Igbos are on the top because of their personal effort, not the government.

“The Government has not done anything for the Igbo man, they strive to do better on their own. The earlier we split as a country, the better for us. The percentage of Fulani, Buhari’s people in the workforce is 98%. The Igbo man has been placed on nothing.

“Benue is in turmoil, people are killing there but they want Fulani herdsmen to continue to do their business. It is draconian, you can’t force people in a big country like this. We need to rally our people from the same tribe to get to a peaceful approach in this country.”