DSS: Why ex-APGA chairman Victor Umeh was Arrested

Former National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and the party’s candidate in the court-ordered rerun election for the Anambra Central senatorial district, Chief Victor Umeh, was yesterday arrested by operatives of the Department of State Security (DSS) at his Enugu residence.

Anambrariansnews gathered that Umeh was arrested over allegations that he was sponsoring secessionist groups such as the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and Movement for the Actualisation of the Sovereign State of Biafra (MASSOB).

Though details of the arrest were still sketchy as at the time of filing the report, he was reportedly arrested and taken to Abuja by road.

Meanwhile, Umeh’s media aide, Mr. Stan Okeke, yesterday evening confirmed the arrest of his boss in Enugu.

He said officials of the DSS arrested Umeh at his residence following a “petition by political leaders from Anambra State allegedly led by former governor of the state, Dr. Peter Obi that he is sponsoring the activities of the IPOB, MASSOB.”

He said that contrary to reports that Umeh was not handcuffed and was not flown to Abuja.
“They travelled by road and as I speak with you (8.25p.m.), they are still on their way to Abuja,” Okeke said.

However, Obi strongly denied that he had anything to do with Umeh’s arrest.

Obi, who said he had been inundated with calls over the issue, vehemently rejected the insinuations.

The former governor, while speaking with news, warned those behind the rumours to stop linking him with Umeh’s ordeal.