Clerics, CAN want an investigation of church invasion in Imo
The Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has condemned the arrest of the 2019 governorship candidate of the Action Alliance (AA) in Imo State, Uche Nwosu, saying the incident exposed those behind abductions and kidnappings in the state and South East.
It said but for the manner in which the action was carried out, some persons in the state would have blamed the shootings and Nwosu’s forcible arrest on IPOB.
In a statement issued by its Media and Publicity Secretary, Emma Powerful, it said: “We the global movement and family of IPOB led by Mazi Nnamdi Kanu, condemn the abduction of Nwosu in the church.
“This is another vindication that IPOB and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) are not responsible for the attacks, abductions and kidnappings in Imo State contrary to accusations and propaganda of the Imo State government
“The incident has also further confirmed the complicity of the government and the All Progressives Congress (APC) in the insecurity in Imo State and the South East region.
“But for the dexterity and fighting spirit of Nwosu’s family and associates, the government and some media houses would have, as usual, pointed accusing fingers at the ESN, IPOB and unknown gunmen. But God has exposed them this time around.”
The group argued that following the incident, it would not be surprised if Governor Hope Uzodimma indicts Nwosu and Rochas Okorocha as sponsors of IPOB, ESN, unknown gunmen and insecurity in Imo State.
He restated that no single individual could sponsor IPOB, stressing: “It is a global movement and millions of our family members, home and abroad, remain the source of our sponsorship. We have never hidden this fact because we are not a secret or terrorist organisation.
“It is also now clear who created unknown gunmen to demonise and implicate IPOB and ESN operatives. God Almighty who designed this fight for Biafra’s freedom has always vindicated us and will continue to vindicate IPOB/ESN.”
MEANWHILE, the Anglican and Catholic bishops of Orlu Diocese, Benjamin Okeke and Augustine Ukwuoma, have condemned police invasion of St. Peters Anglican Church, Umunwokwe, Eziama-Obaire in Nkwerre Council of Imo State on December 26, 2021, to arrest Nwosu at the thanksgiving service for the burial of his mother.
They, therefore, urged the Federal and Imo State governments to investigate the incident and sanction those behind it accordingly.
Also, the state chapter of the Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN), condemned the action, as its Chairman, Eche Divine, said in as much as CAN was in support of prosecuting those who flout the laws of the land, their arrest should not be made in the house of God.
Okeke and Ukwuoma said without prejudice to why Nwosu was arrested, the incident constituted an assault on the Anglican Church and the Church of God, stressing: “While no one is above the law, the violent way the arrest was carried out in a house of worship and during a service with thousands of participants leaves much to be desired.”
