Community protests transfer of Boko Haram inmates to Anambra

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(Nigeria) The people of Ekwulobia in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State on Tuesday protested the transfer of Boko Haram inmates to the prison in the area.
It will be recalled that the Muhammadu Buhari led Federal Government, had earlier denied that the Boko Haram inmates were to be transferred to an Anambra prison. But few days, later it went ahead to do the same thing it denied, by relocating the Boko Haram prisoners to Ekwulobia prisons.  
The placard carrying protesters comprising traditional rulers, clergy, traders, young men and women as well as the aged, marched peacefully protest along major roads and streets to register their grievance.
Business activities were paralysed as traders locked up their shops to register their annoyance over the development.
Speaking to newsmen, the Chairman of Aguata Local Council Area, Mr Tony Umeoji, said that the transfer of Boko Haram prisoners to the place was politically motivated.
``It is an attempt to interrupt the development of the South-East. I must tell you that this development will chase away intending investors to the state, thereby setting back the wheel of progress of the state.
``It is a situation that calls for concern because of the apprehension and restiveness among the people of Ekwulobia. The people are scared and there is a general sense of insecurity in the place.’’
The chairman said that the Ekwulobia prison does not have the capacity and facility for such high profile inmates.
According to him, the prison is 80-bedded and there are already 133 inmates in the facility.
Umeoji noted that adding another 47 inmates to the number would be too much and unhealthy for human beings.
A lawmaker representing Aguata II Constituency, Mr Ikem Uzezie, appealed President Muhammadu Buhari and other authorities concerned to, as a matter of urgency, relocate the new inmates to a prison with maximum capacity and facility.
``The development calls for concern because the relative peace we have been enjoying has been interrupted."
Uzezie said that the state House of Assembly, when it reconvened, would deliberate on the matter with a view to prevailing on the presidency to address the issue.

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