Governors from South-eastern zone are strongly opposing the decision by the federal government to relocate some suspected Boko Haram prisoners to the facilities in their zone of responsibility, particularly the Aguata Prison in Ekwuluobia, Anambra state. They proposed to FG to move prisoners much closer to them, see where.
Their statement has been voiced at the Southeast governors Forum on Sunday in Owerri, the Imo state capital.
Despite the fact that Anambra’s governor Willie Obiano wasn’t present at their meeting, all the other governors from the zone agreed that relocation of Boko Haram suspects to Anambra state creates unnecessary security tension in the whole South-east. They told it would be much better to move prisoners to Abuja, closer to the federal government.
“We are appealing to the federal government to have a rethink on the relocation of the of the Boko Haram suspects. If there is any place they should be relocated to it should be Abuja where they have enough security. The issue is already creating security concern in the zone”, told the press Rochas Okorocha, hosting the governors’ meeting in the capital of Imo state.
He also urged people not to trust the messages of the underground Radio Biafra, adding that it “does not have the endorsement of south-east governors’’.
Anambrans remain on high alert of possible terrorist attacks due to the report of relocating the detained Boko Haram suspects from the north to Ekwulobia prisons in Anambra state. Since that people in the state fear possible retaliatory attacks from Boko Haram members.
Three days ago a man, mistaken for Boko Haram terrorist, terrified people in Anambra state with his bag looking like an improvised explosive device.
Eight days ago commercial activities in major Anambra markets were brought to a standstill after angry youths protested the alleged plan by the federal government to transfer suspected Boko Haram prisoners to Ekwulobia Prison in Aguata local government area of the state.
Governor Willie Obiano of Anambra state has responded fiercely to an alleged plan to relocate Boko Haram convicts to Anambra state prisons, describing the rumours as false and mischievous speculation.
However, the press investigation has revealed that 47 Boko Haram prisoners were brought to Ekwulobia at midnight on Sunday, June 28, under tight security.
