Following the relocation of Boko Haram
detainees to the Ekwulobia Prisons in Anambra
State, the military have taken over the
security of the facility.
SUNDAY PUNCH investigations showed that
security operations in the Federal Government
facility are no longer the exclusive preserve
of the officials of the Nigeria Prison Service.
The development, sources told our
correspondent, is not unconnected with the
calibre of the detainees being held behind the
walls of the facility.
A visit by our correspondent to the prison on
Saturday showed that armed military
personnel were located in strategic locations
around the prison.
The development has also brought some form
of hardship to residents of the host
communities of the prison.
Free human and vehicular movement is no
longer allowed around the place. Our
correspondent sighted soldiers compelling
passers-by to raise up their arms and get
frisked before they were allowed passage.
Vehicles were also searched.
Residents of Anambra had last week taken to
the streets protesting against the relocation of
the detainees. But the Federal Government
had reacted saying it was a mere rumour.
But happenings around the facility on Friday
further learnt credence to the report that the
Boko Haram detainees had been relocated to
the quiet Anambra town.
“It is like a war situation. We no longer move
freely; we don’t even talk freely because you
don’t know who is who now. Armoured
vehicles are everywhere” Stanley Ezechukwu, a
primary school teacher in the area told our
correspondent.
One of the soldiers who spoke on condition of
anonymity said, “We are here to ensure that
the prison is not attacked by the people who
have demonstrated their resentment over the
transfer of the detainees.”
Professor Chuwuemeka Ike, the traditional
Ruler of Ndikerionwu, a neighboring
community to Ekwulobia , condemned the
transfer of the detainees to the area.
He acknowledged, however that prisons
transfers are normal, but maintained that with
the sensitive nature of the prisoners, the
transfer of the Boko Haram detainee could
have been avoided.
A press statement on Saturday by the Senior
Special Assistant to Governor Willie Obiano on
Media, Mr James Eze, was not specific on
whether the detainees had been relocated or
not.
The statement titled; “The Transfer of Boko
Haram Detainees to Ekwulobia Prisons: the
true position,” maintained that the governor
had not made any official press statement on
the issue as reported in some national dailies.
The statement read in parts, “We wish to
inform the general public that Governor
Obiano never made any comments to these
publications. Since the eruption of this
controversy, Governor Obiano’s position has
been consistent. This was fully reflected in the
two press Statements issued on Sunday, June
28, 2015 and Wednesday July 1, 2015. In
both statements, his message was simple – he
re-assured Ndi Anambra that he was on top of
the situation and that he was speaking with
the relevant authorities to achieve a peaceful
resolution of the issue. Governor Obiano’s
commitment to this extremely sensitive issue
remains the same.”
The Police Public Relations Officer in the
state, Mr Uche Eze in his reaction said the
police would not want to comment on the
matter as “it is purely an affair of the
Nigerian Prisons Service.”
The member representing the area in the
House of Representatives, Mrs. Eucharia
Azodo however urged the Federal Government
to rescind the decision in view of its security
implications on the people of her
constituency.
In a statement in Awka on Saturday, Azodo
said the Boko Haram detainees would be
better taken care of in a maximum security
prison, arguing that Ekwulobia Prison did not
have the capacity to accommodate such high
risk prisoners.
She said, “The rising tension following
rumours that Boko Haram suspects were
relocated from some Northern prisons to the
South-East, precisely, Ekwulobia in Aguata
Local Government of Anambra State, gives me
great concern.
“We all are aware of the fact that Ekwulobia
Prison in Aguata Local Government Area of
Anambra State is not a maximum security
prison.
“Whereas a large number of prisoners, about
134 inmates, are there already in a prison
built to accommodate 85 inmates, a total
number of 47 Boko Haram prisoners were
brought to Ekwulobia Prison in the dead of
the night of Sunday, June 28, 2015 amidst
tight security.”
The youth wing of the apex Igbo socio-
cultural organisation, Ohanaeze Ndigbo, has
flayed the Federal Government over the
relocation.
The National President of Ohanaeze Youth
Council, Mazi Okechukwu Isiguzoro who spoke
with our correspondent in Umuahia, described
the action as “ exportation of terrorism to the
peaceful South-East region.

" www.punchng.com/news/military-take-over-security-in-anambra-prison/

issorait!

The poster above me uses 15G data speed

that's OK

Goodnews
Atleast ppl residing in that area can sleep with their two eyes closed now

Mr Buhari na disaster....
I dnt see Buhari completing his four year term.
Am seeing Osinbade (is it Osibanjo) completing his term but he should be weary of Atiku for he might try staging a natural death film for Osinbade

Wow fb

....