The Imo State Government has apologised to the Anglican Communion over the unceremonious arrest of Mr Uche Nwosu whom they said was arrested for security matters.
The statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, on Monday stated that the government led by Senator Hope Uzodinma held the Anglican Church in high esteem.
Speaking further, the statement revealed that the insecurity in the State led to how the former Chief of Staff to the former governor Rochas Okorocha was arrested while stating that the reason for the arrest will be revealed soon.
The statement read, “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. 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 emphasise 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 the citizens of the state while not impeding the work of security agencies.”
Meanwhile, a viral video revealed the possible reason why Ugwumba Uche Nwosu was arrested on Sunday at the Anglican Church in Nkwerre Local Government Area of the State while in a Thanksgiving service of his late mother Jemimah Nwosu.
