The Imo State Police Command has denied claims circulating in the state that they abducted the popular activist and Chairman of the National Youth Alliance (NYA), Chinonso Uba (also known as Nonsonkwa).
In a statement issued on Monday in Owerri by the Imo State Police Command Public Relations Officer, ASP Henry Okoye, it was clarified that operatives of the command arrested Uba following a written petition from a concerned citizen.
The petition alleged that he had engaged in cyberstalking, character defamation, and the spreading of misinformation and inflammatory statements related to the burning of the National Open University (NOUN) Study Centre in Nsu, Ehime Mbano LGA, on September 30, 2024, as well as inciting civil unrest.
The police command emphasised that Uba was not abducted, as speculated, but rather arrested. Okoye stated that Nonsonkwa is currently detained at the State Headquarters and will be arraigned in court with appropriate charges once a comprehensive investigation is completed.
He reiterated the command’s commitment to upholding the rule of law and maintaining peace and order in the state, emphasising that no individual involved in the tragic attack and burning of the NOUN study centre will escape full legal consequences.
The arrest of Nonsonkwa comes just a few days after he attended the 2024 National SERVICOM week organised by the Imo State Police Command, held at the Officers Mess in Owerri. During the event, Nonsonkwa, who is also the President of the NGO “Protect the Weak International,” spoke about the negative activities of the police, particularly concerning the Tiger Base.
He equally offered suggestions and solutions, which the Police Command acknowledged and assured they would address regarding the wrongdoings of the police.
Meanwhile, activist journalist Chidiebube Okeoma has urged the leadership of the police in Imo State to respect the constitutional rights of prominent broadcast journalist and human rights defender Chinonso Uba, popularly known as NonsoNkwa.
Okeoma condemned the manner in which Uba was arrested, fuelling speculation that he had been abducted by criminals. He also advised the police to ensure that NonsoNkwa’s rights are not violated while in custody and that he should not be held longer than necessary before being arraigned.
“I condemn the way and manner in which Chinonso Uba was arrested in Owerri on Sunday. The unprofessional process fuelled speculation that he was kidnapped, leading to misinformation that escalated the security status of the state,” Okeoma stated.
He emphasised that as a law-abiding institution, the police should have extended an invitation to Uba, especially since the media unit of the command indicated that an unnamed individual wrote a petition against him.
While acknowledging that it is part of the police’s constitutional responsibilities to arrest and investigate issues and individuals, he called on them to respect NonsoNkwa’s constitutional and civic rights while in custody.
“NonsoNkwa should be given maximum access to his lawyers, family members, and colleagues. He should also not be held longer than necessary before being arraigned. Doing so would violate his rights and privileges as a citizen of the Federal Republic of Nigeria,” Okeoma added.
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