Who is Chinwetalu Agu, The Veteran Actor that was Brutalized by the Nigerian Army.

Chiwetalu Agu is a veteran Nigerian actor, comedian, and movie producer, who is one of the outstanding comedians who majorly contributed to the development of Nollywood.

He is known for his usage of specific language slang, phrases, or clichés in each film which made him uniquely a household name in Nigeria and abroad.

Prior to the inception of Nollywood, Chiwetalu Agu was featured in Television soap operas such as Nigerian Television Authority Channel 8 Enugu’s Ikoro, produced by Joe Onyekwelu. He also featured in ETV Channel 50, now ESBS. in soaps like Baby Come Now and Ripples (in Lagos), produced by Chico Ejiro’s brother, Zeb.

Chiwetalu-Agu in a movie

He won the 2012 Nollywood award for ‘best actor in indigenous movie’.  Agu is married to Nkechi and has three sons and two daughters.

Recent reports have it that the veteran actor was Brutalized and arrested by the Nigerian Army for wearing a Biafra-themed outfit in Anambra State.

According to the reports, Chinwetalu was driving his production van around Upper Iweka Road in Onitsha when the officers stopped him and reportedly questioned him for wearing the Biafran regalia. He was asked to step down from his van which had “Chinwetalu Films” embossed on the vehicle.

Eyewitnesses say there was a verbal exchange between the movie star and the military men before he was taken to the Army division in the state.

Chiwetalu-Agu in a biafra outfit

However, The army spokesperson, Oyama Nwachukwu,  stated that Chiwetalu Agu was arrested by the troops because he was rallying support for the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) while dressed in the Biafra regalia

The Statement reads “Troops of the Nigerian Army have arrested one Chiwetalu Agu while inciting members of the public and soliciting support for the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB).

“Dressed in a very well-known attire of the proscribed group, Chiwetalu Agu was picked up for questioning while inciting members of the public to join the proscribed group.”

“Though he attempted putting up some resistance when troops made effort to take him into custody, he was not assaulted or subjected to brutalization.”

“While the Nigerian Army recognizes the inalienable rights of the citizenry to freedom of movement and expression as enshrined in the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, it is apparently a violation for any individual or group to incite the public to cause mayhem or break down of law and order.

“Chinwetalu Agu has clearly demonstrated uncharitable disposition to negate peace and security in the region, hence, he is taken into custody for preliminary investigation. It is important to once again place on record that the allegation that he was brutalized is false and should be disregarded accordingly.”

However, the veteran actor was seen in a viral video defending himself at army division in Anambra state, where he stated that his dress was a civilian dress and not Biafran regalia, he also noted that he was not campaigning or asking people to join Biafra.

He said: What I’m wearing is a civil dress and not a Biafran regalia or linked to Eastern Security Network. I was sharing bread at Upper Iweka when I was taken away. I was not campaigning or asking people to join Biafra.