By Ola ‘Kiya, Reporting
Over 24 hours after the invasion of St Peter’s Anglican Church, Eziama Obaire in the Nkwerre Local Government Area to apprehend former governorship candidate of the All Progressives Congress (APC), Chief Uche Nwosu by police operatives, the Imo State government has apologised to the Anglican Communion over the police desecration of the place of worship.
Stonix News reports that police operatives, in a gangster-like manner invaded the church to arrest the APC chieftain and son-in-law to a former governor of the state, Rochas Okorocha, on Sunday, during the burial outing service for his deceased mother.
The state government, which agreed to the desecration of the worship centre, made the apology on Monday in a statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba.
He said that the governor, Hope Uzodinma and the government of the state, held the Anglican Church and the church of God, in general, in high esteem.
“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,” the statement read.
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