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- We never arrested Chido Onumah – DSS
A Nigerian activist who was arrested on Sunday evening said he was told that his arrest was because he wore a shirt with the inscription: ‘We Are All Biafrans.’
TheNewsGuru, TNG had earlier reported how Mr Onumah was arrested at the airport upon his arrival from Europe.
He was arrested at about 5:00 p.m. on Sunday and released about five hours later.
He arrived via a Lufthansa airline and was waiting for his luggage when SSS officials accosted him.
Mr Onumah spoke to newsmen after his release on Sunday night.
“I was arrested for wearing the T-shirt because the SSS said it is capable of causing disaffection in the country.
”They said some people had issues and had contacted them (SSS) whether I was a part of a group that was planning against the country,” he said.
The inscription on Mr Onumah’s shirt, We Are All Biafrans, is the title of a book he wrote about Nigeria.
The book, a collection of essays by the journalist, focused on the need to restructure Nigeria in order to be able to build a united country.
Biafra is also the name the South-eastern part of Nigeria adopted during the Nigerian civil war, 1967-1970. There are still many individuals and groups in the South-east clamouring for an independent Biafra republic. One of them is an outlawed group, IPOB, led by a fugitive, Nnamdi Kanu.
Mr Onumah has no known links with any of the Biafran groups and has opposed the breakup of Nigeria, calling instead for a restructured country where power is devolved to its constituent parts.
Meanwhile, the DSS has since denied tha Onumah was arrested.
“In a statement released by its spokesperson, Peter Afunanya, the security said, “wishes to make clarifications regarding media reports that Dr Chido Onumah was arrested by the Service. To set the records right, Onumah was never arrested by the Service. He was rather engaged in an interaction during which an act of his capable of undermining public order and national security was explained to him.
“On his arrival at the Nnamdi Azikiwe International Airport, Abuja, on 29th September, 2019, it was discovered that Onumah wore a T-shirt with WE ARE ALL BIAFRANS inscription on it. With credible intelligence that he might be a subject of mob attack if allowed to go into town in same cloth, the Service invited him and drew his attention to the implications of his probable (un)intended action.
“It was strongly believed that an attack on Onumah would have sparked ethno-religious reprisals with dire consequences for law and order and public safety in the country. He understood the issues and pledged not to engage in activities that may cause disaffection in Abuja and the country at large. He subsequently removed the cloth with the inciting symbols and inscriptions and agreed not to use it.
“The interaction between Onumah and the Service held in a convivial atmosphere. He appreciated the courtesies extended to him. Afterwards, the Servcie arranged for him to go back to his accommodation in town.
“It is hoped that this clarification has dispelled the erroneous claims and reportage that he was arrested. The Service acted within the confines of its mandate and only carried out its routine security duty that could have been discharged by a similar agency in any part of the world. It is not out of place for concerned security agencies to have sought clarification from a traveller concerning a subject of security interest.
The DSS reaffirms its avowed commitment to the rule of law and protection of citizens and national critical assets.”