Operatives of the Department of Security Services (DSS) have arrested and whisked away immediate past National Chairman of the All Progressives Grand Alliance (APGA) and senatorial candidate for the re-run election for Anambra Central zone, Chief Victor Umeh.

According to a family source, Umeh was earlier today invited to the headquarters of the DSS located at Amawbia, Awka South Local Government Area of Anambra state for a chat before he was later whisked away to Abuja.

The source said: “At about 11am, he was taken out of the DSS headquarters in a pick-up van en-route to Abuja.

“I am right now at Aguluzigbo, country home of Chief Victor Umeh. His wife told me that he was arrested in the morning by men of the security service and taken to their state headquarters in Amawbia.

“But at about 11 am, he was taken from the state headquarters to Abuja in a pick-up van.

“They said they received petitions against him that he supports IPOB. They pointed accusing fingers on some of his known opponents who may have sponsored that petition.

“The family is worried that in the increasing tension that has trailed Anambra political terrain, Umeh may run into some harm.”

The arrest is coming on the heels of Umeh’s victory at the Appellate court in Enugu were the court stroke out Ekwunife’s appeal to review its judgement of December 7 that nullified her election.

Umeh’s victory had hitherto roused jubilation among his supporters in Awka before news of his arrest filtered the air.

It was gathered that the DSS told Umeh upon arrest that they (DSS) received petitions that Umeh was a supporter of the pro-Biafra Indigenous People of Biafra.

It would be recalled that the former national chairman had last week accused former governor of the state, Mr Peter Obi, of plotting to undo him in the election.

Umeh, who spoke with journalist at Ichida, Anaocha Local Government Area of the state during a campaign rally, alleged that Obi and others were doing everything to stop him in the re-run.

He maintained that such sinister plans would crumble because according to him “those are not the plans of God and the people of my constituency.”

He said: “Since 2012 Obi has been plotting my downfall. But God has been thwarting his evil plans against me because God knew how many battles I fought to sustain him (Obi) in office.

“I don’t bear any grudges against him, but he has continued to fight me, covertly and overtly.”

When contacted on the telephone, the state Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Ali Okechukwu, said he was not aware of Umeh’s arrest.

•Photo shows Victor Umeh.

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