SSS Arrests Former Information Minister

Former Minister of Information, Chief John Nnia Nwodo was Tuesday arrested and flown to Abuja the Federal Capital Territory [FCT] through a 3.30pm flight by operatives of the State Security Service (SSS), Enugu .

Although no official reason was adduced for his arrest, it was gathered that it might not be unconnected with the speech he delivered at the recently concluded two day Security Summit organised by the 82 Division of the Nigerian Army, Enugu for the South East and South -South  geo-political Zones.

In what many regarded as inciting and dangerous to the nation’s democracy, John Nwodo, had said during the interactive session of the summit that “We cannot thank you (army) enough for your professionalism and for your patriotism, but I dare say that it does not stop with keeping quiet. As minister, I remember that General (Muhammadu) Buhari and other GOCs (General Officer Commanding) came to give the President ultimatums that if certain things were not done, they can no longer guarantee security.”

He stated further that “the fact that you wear a uniform does not insulate you from the politics of your country, in fact, it gives you more responsibility because when everything fails, it rests on your shoulder to defend the territorial integrity of the country, so speak up.”

Apparently uncomfortable with Nwodo’s words, the Chief of Army Staff, Lt. General Abdulrahaman Dambazau made  a second appearance and vehemently denounced the suggestions.

“Our business is there in Section 217 of the 1999 Constitution. We are not going to interfere in what politicians do. We are not saying that our democracy is perfect, but we are hopeful that the politicians would some day arrive at a point of perfection. If what happened in1966 (first military coup) had not happened, Nigeria would have gone farther than this. So please, we do not want that suggestion from you.” The COAS stated.

Our correspondent  gathered that Nwodo, who was said to be distressed before he was flown to Abuja, refused to eat the food offered him by operatives of the State Security Services while he was in detention.

It was further gathered that the former Information Minister had earlier appealed to the operatives to grant him access to his own food but his demand fell on deaf ears.

Frantic efforts made  by this reporter  to speak with the Enugu State Director of SSS, Mrs Fonke Amos proved abortive,  but an official of the agency, who confirmed the arrest, stated that the Headquarters only invited Nwodo for a “routine chat”.

Reacting to the arrest, the Secretary of the Enugu Centenary Celebrations Planning Committee, Vin Martins Iloh, stated that he was told that Nwodo, who is the chairman of the Centenary Planning Committee was invited to Abuja for a routine chat.

He, also, confirmed that the former minister refused the food offered him by the operatives of the State Security Services.

Ilo, however, disclosed that the operatives permitted him to buy food for Nwodo.

Also reacting, counsel to chief Nwodo, Anthony Mogbo [SAN]assured that there was no cause for alarm, adding that it was part of his client’s sacrifice to the country.