The Imo State Police Command has apprehended an activist, Mr. Chinonso Uba, popularly known as Nonsonkwa, following a petition filed by a concerned citizen.
The PUNCH reported that the petition stemmed from viral videos in which Uba was accused of cyberstalking, defamation, and spreading misinformation, along with making inflammatory comments concerning the burning of the National Open University Study Centre in Nsu, Ehime Mbano Local Government Area on September 30, 2024.
His statements were said to have incited civil unrest in the region.
According to a statement released on Monday by the Spokesperson for the State Police Command , Henry Okoye, the command emphasized that Uba was not abducted as some rumors suggested.
The statement read, “The command clarified that he was not abducted. Nonsonkwa is currently detained at State Headquarters and will be arraigned in court with appropriate charges once a comprehensive investigation is completed.”
The Imo State Police Command further reiterated its commitment to upholding the rule of law, ensuring peace, and maintaining order in the state.
The statement also stressed that those responsible for the attack on the NOUN facility would face the full extent of the law, saying, “The Command remains committed 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 Uba came after he publicly criticized the government’s handling of security issues in Ehime Mbano, where the NOUN centre is located.
He questioned why TVC reported on Imo State being used as an IDP camp instead of focusing on addressing the insecurity in the area.
Earlier in October, suspected arsonists set fire to the NOUN study centre and also torched the residence of a former lawmaker, Senator Frank Ibezim, within the same area.
The violence, which caused significant concern among local residents, was described as part of a larger trend of instability in the community.
In a statement, the police acknowledged the severity of the violence and pledged to collaborate with other security agencies to restore order and bring the perpetrators to justice.
The police said, “This unfortunate incident reflects a disturbing trend of violence that undermines the safety and security of our communities. The Command stands firmly against such acts and will take all necessary measures in synergy with other security agencies to ensure that the perpetrators are brought to justice.”
The attacks were reportedly triggered by a viral video that suggested the Federal Government was planning to convert the NOUN study centre into a training camp for internally displaced persons.
The video circulated widely after an inspection visit by Tijani Mohammed, the Federal Commissioner for Refugees, Migrants, and Internally Displaced Persons, to the facility.
However, the Imo State government quickly refuted the claim, denying any plans to use the centre as an IDP camp.
The incident has further fueled tensions in the region, as communities call for better security measures and clearer communication from the authorities to prevent such unrest in the future.
