The Imo State Government has responded to reports that it disrespected a place of worship following the recent arrest of Rochas Okorocha’s son-in law, Uche Nwosu in an Anglican Church by police operatives.
The State Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Hon. Declan Emelumba, said in a statement on Monday that the 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 Nwosu.
According to Emelumba, “the plan is to de emphasise the possible criminality behind Nwosu’s 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 emphasize 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” the Commissioner said.
The statement added: “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 Uzodimma 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 citizens of the state while not impeding the work of security agencies.”
Nwosu was on Sunday evening released on bail.