Reported relocation of Boko Haram prisoners to the federal prison in Ekwulobia, Aguata local government area of Anambra state, sparked a news wave of protests in the area.
This Day reports that the protesters included traditional rulers, the clergy, traders, women and youths. They took to the streets of Ekwulobia and marched peacefully to the Aguata council headquarters, then to the adjoining Oko community.
People were carrying placards which read: “Buhari don’t export terrorism to the South-east” and “Boko Haram prisoners are not wanted here”.
Business activities were paralyzed in the area as traders locked up their shops and commercial motorcyclists blared their horns in protest.
Tony Umeoji, the chairman of Aguata council area, express dissatisfaction with the decision to transfer Boko Haram terrorists to Ekwulobia prisons. According to him, it was politically motivated and aimed at stunting the development of the entire south-east.
“I must tell you that this development will chase away intending investors coming to Anambra state, thereby setting back the wheel of progress of the state.
“The people are scared and there is a general sense of insecurity in the place. The Ekwulobia prisons have not got the capacity and facility for such high-risk inmates. The prison was built to house 84 people and there are 133 inmates already, and you are adding another 47 inmates of Boko Haram extraction. That is too much and not healthy at all,” Umeoji said.
Ikem Uzozie, the lawmaker who represents Aguata II constituency in the Anambra House of Assembly, appealed to the federal government to urgently relocate the Boko Haram inmates to a prison with maximum capacity and facility. The lawyer said that the development had shattered the relative peace in the area.
In a related development, at least 22 women and girls, who were recruited to be suicide bombers, are undergoing rehabilitation program after which they will be able to return to their communities.
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