The Imo State Police Command has released Uche Nwosu, a son-in-law to a former governor of the state, Rochas Okorocha.
Nwosu, a former candidate of the Action Alliance in the 2019 governorship election in Imo, was arrested by some police officers while attending a church service on Sunday.
The police said Nwosu was arrested over some allegations against him.
Meanwhile, a statement issued by the media aide to Mr Nwosu, Chikezie Nwadike, confirmed that his principal has been released from the custody of the police.
The statement disclosed that Nwosu did not spend a night in the police custody.
In the statement, Nwosu also demanded an explanation from the police on the reasons for his controversial arrest.
The statement partly reads, “While we await a Police report on the reasons for the abduction and arrest, we call on everyone to remain calm and focused because God is in charge of the whole situation.
“Ugwumba Uche Nwosu is a perfect gentleman who has great deal of respect for constituted authorities and has never for once caught up in civil disobedience. There was never an invitation and if anyone says otherwise, let the person come forth with evidence.”
Meanwhile, following widespread criticism, the Imo state government has apologised to the St Peter’s Anglican Church, Eziama Obaire in the Nkwerre Local Government Area of the state, where Nwosu was arrested.
The state Commissioner for Information and Strategy, Declan Emelumba, in a statement said the arrest of Nwosu was not aimed at desecrating the church as many had claimed, saying that it was just a mere security matter.
The commissioner in the statement said that the governor and the government of the state held the Anglican Church and the church of God in general in high esteem.
The statement reads, “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.”
