Association cries out over member’s whereabouts weeks after arrest by Nigerian Army

A group, Film and Video Producer Marketers Association of Nigeria
has demanded the immediate release of their member, Obinna Egwuh, who was allegedly arrested under questionable circumstances by men of the Nigerian Army.

It was gathered that Obinna was arrested over his alleged link with the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB.

However, weeks after his arrest, his whereabouts remained unknown.

Addressing journalists, President of the Association, Mr Samuel Emeka Aduah said they were saddened over the grave silence of the Army authorities on the condition of their member.

He said the Association was worried over the safety of Obinna, who he said is the Assistant General Secretary of the Association.

Mr Aduah, who described Obinna as an easy going man, content creator, film maker and CEO, Noble Movies International, demanded explanation from the security agencies on the prolonged detention of their colleague.

He said, “some time in April, 2021, I was alerted by Obinna’s staff members that he was arrested by some men who said they were military officers.

“He was arrested at a location in Delta State where they were doing some video shoot.

“According to his staff members, the military said he had some links with the outlawed IPOB; they demanded that he should lead them to Emma Powerful, IPOB spokesman and one Ikonso, who is a leader of IPOB security wing.

“I know so well that Obinna is not and has never been a member of IPOB; but assuming without conceding that he is even a member, is that why he should be detained forever, kept incommunicado?

“We have even visited the Army formation in Abia, as well as the 82 Division, but they have not said anything concrete.

“Now, we don’t know whether he was dead or alive; our fear for his safety heightened with the killing of Ikonso by security agencies.”

Aduah said his Association was distraught with the ugly situation, and urged the military authorities to provide a true picture on the case.

He stressed that no law supports perpetual detention of a suspect, noting that “if they feel strongly that he committed an offence, they should charge him to court and let the law take its course.”
Also speaking, Obinna’s aged mother said the situation was traumatising.

She called on the military hierarchy to free her son, who she described as the backbone of the family.

“I have not eaten for days now; I know that my son, Obinna, is not a criminal; he has never gotten involved in any crime.

“I am begging them to set him free; the worst is that we have not been able to see him since we learnt of his arrest.

“The first time we went to the Army location, they said we should go and come back, since then they have not even allowed us access to the place again.

“Obinna’s wife is late and left behind two children; they have been asking me about their father, crying everyday; how am I going to cope with all of these?

“If they have killed him, let them hand his corpse over to me so that I can be at rest,” she said crying.

She added that it was a double dilemma for her son as the IPOB was also after his life, having alleged that he was the one who gave information leading to the death of Ikonso.

“The IPOB declared my son wanted through their spokesman, Emma Powerful; they said he was the one that gave the Army information on Ikonso,” Obinna’s mother revealed.

Similarly, a famous Nollywood actor, Mr Chiwetalu Agu has also waded into the matter, demanding an unconditional release of the content creator.

He told our correspondent that the level of harassment of innocent youths in the South-East by security agencies was becoming unbearable.
“This is one of the many cases we have witnessed in recent times; we are saying that we have had enough.

“Obinna Egwuh is not a member of IPOB; I can tell you that with no doubt in my mind; so they should let him go.

“Incarcerating him is a grave injustice all of us will resist,” declared.

Meanwhile, another group, Ojo Alaba Film Marketers Association of Nigeria had earlier also issued a statement demanding the immediate release of Obinna.