FRIDAY- 8th October, 2021: Reactions have thrilled the arrest of Chiwetalu Agu, the popular Nollywood actor who was arrested for wearing a cloth with Biafra symbols.

CEOAFRICA had earlier reported that Agu was arrested by Nigerian military officers, who wrestled him to the ground and dragged him away at the early hours of Thursday at Upper Iweka Bridge, Onitsha.

It was also learnt that he was sharing food to the less privileged persons wearing a Biafran regalia when government forces stopped him.

In a statement released by Nigerian Army, Chiwetalu was arrested for “while inciting members of the public and soliciting for support for the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra.

Nigerians who seen the arrest of the actor as a violation of human right have taken to their various social media handles to criticize the action by the Nigerian security operatives.

Human Right Activist, Inihebe Efiong said the arrest was “Illegal, unconscionable and unwarranted. He had done nothing wrong to be arrested”

Effiong also said the military has no power in the constitutional democracy to arrest citizens except in special and exceptional circumstances like during war, insurrection, state of emergency or riot.

The Human Rights Activist also said, “Supposing without conceding that the dressing of the legendary actor amounts to ‘incitement’ as claimed by the Army, it is the Nigeria Police Force that should have responded. There is no evidence of incitement against him. Nothing was inscribed on the said cloth to incite the public,”

“That the Army should apologise to the actor and pay him adequate compensation for “public humiliation”

A Facebook user, Peter Udonsek, also described the arrest of Agu as “heartbreaking”. He lamented the “double standards” of the Army, saying the military has not deemed it fit to arrest controversial Islamic cleric, Ahmad Gumi, who has been seen hobnobbing freely with murderous bandits.

Activist Deji Adeyanju flayed the Army over Agu’s arrest. “The same army that organise Repentance Red Carpet ceremony for Boko Haram terrorists,” he threw a mocking jab at the military.

Reno Omokri, a socio-political activist said Nigerian soldiers should arrest Shiekh Ahmed Gumi, Miyetti Allah organization for threatening Nigerians. He said in his reaction to the arrest of Chiwetalu.

Another actor, Walter Angu also reacted on this twitter handle by saying “a man that has spent almost his lifetime putting smile in every home even when you the man is out there struggling to put food on the table for your family. Can this be done to any northerner? Northerners even go as much as wear camo on the streets… na God go judge una”

Shan George, in her twitter handle also said “my brother, u are clearly wearing a Biafran flag, and u should own it with your full chest. I don’t get all the rising sun English u are speaking. I personally see nothing in a certain people fighting for their freedom. Nigeria fought for theirs from the British before 1960. Scotland etc fought for theirs too, at least were not carrying any arms, fighting for freedom peacefully shouldn’t be a crime. Own your Fight/Struggle with your full chest.”