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.”





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

Talk about desperate times...call for desperate measures.

I am assuming that the FG is aware the prison isn't a maximum security prison, hence the reason for having the military take over...thereby...giving the prison a make over...lol

#ButWhy imprison the people of the host community too

Meanwhile...

#FTC
#FirstTime

Dedicated to the love of ma life Teeti...love you so much Teeboo...thanks for being such an inspiration...#SheMaMotivation

Military takeovering the prison is not the solution. Relocate the military to Where the Boko Haram prisoners are coming from.

I still don't know the reason behind this. Even if there is a need for prisoners transfer, I think it should be made in a very secretive manner. If we have thousands of Boko Haram members in prisons across the northern states, why transferring 47 to another region to create insecurity there. I think the FG should look for a mass land probably in Niger State and build a place for the terrorists not in the east.

wisehuman156:
Military takeovering the prison is not the solution. Relocate the military to Where the Boko Haram prisoners are coming from.

if dats done,boko haram wud wana attack dem nd free the inmates

To me, imprisoning them in their natural habitat is still the best, why endangering southeast for all easterners na

Dey build prisons wherever dey like. The one in my town is even opposite the market. Its not suppose to be so

As if the military will be there if BH attempts a 'jail break'. Whoever it was that sanctioned this transfer ( be it Buhari, GEJ) no try at all

Thank u jare

madridguy:
I still don't know the reason behind this. Even if there is a need for prisoners transfer, I think it should be made in a very secretive manner. If we have thousands of Boko Haram members in prisons across the northern states, why transferring 47 to another region to create insecurity there. I think the FG should look for a mass land probably in Niger State and build a place for the terrorists not in the east.

D FG is suppose to make it top secret. Put d blame on FG

ZeezaRapture:
Whilst I dont support the relocation of the prisoners to the afformentioned prison, I think the media has done more harm than good on this issue... So many reliable sources has turned RE 'LIE' ABLE on this matter..




Z.R

Even if GEJ planned it Mr fix it shldnt ve signed it.

UnknownT:
As if the military will be there if BH attempts a 'jail break'. Whoever it was that sanctioned this transfer ( be it Buhari, GEJ) no try at all

Soulless govt..with his autocratic, dictatorship style of govt

God will punish Buhari

Chibuhealth:
God will punish Buhari

They are taking their steps one after the other. They now have reason to bring down more fulanis in the name of military to overpower and captivate the people.
NORTHERN ISLAMIC AGENDA: buhari's oath to allah before he dies.

They're prisoners everywhere in this country I wonder what my igbo people are chanting for?

You welcome

sunshine1974:
Thank u jare

Increased security is good.

Hahaha Abökis don take over the prison abi?Watch out before the end of this year boko haram will strike in east because Aböki must definitely open door for their brothers. Buhari plans is working for him.

dondestiny:
if dats done,boko haram wud wana attack dem nd free the inmates

And for how wld the soldiers be there and passer by be passing with hands up and vehicles being searched? It simply means the facility is not secure and not a maximum prison.

Its not good to make noise.

Yungwizzzy:
They're prisoners everywhere in this country I wonder what my igbo people are chanting for?

And you there are prisons and there are maximum security prisons for terrorist? If u rape ur neibhour now those prisons are for u since u ain't a terrorist LMAO.

M4gunners:
Hahaha Abökis don take over the prison abi?Watch out before the end of this year boko haram will strike in east because Aböki must definitely open door for their brothers. Buhari plans is working for him.

And if that eventually happens guess what happens? The igbos will see all abokis as BH and they will start killing and same will start in north and how wld that be contained?

sunshine1974:
Following the relocation of Boko Haram detainees ...


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.”

The Federal Government obviously DOES NOT care about the welfare of the endangered Igbos. With the above statement it is clear that the security was not for the sake of the inhabitants, but was for the sake of their 'resentment '. That is, they were not supposed to complain? The people are the enemies now? What era is this, Herod's? Sickening decisions everywhere.

Chibuhealth:
God will punish Buhari

lalasticlala, ishilove

Buhari's tenure is full of controversies bordering on irrelevance, while the real issues are yet to be looked at.

The relocation was a bad decision. It wasn't well thought out at all.

I agree with the guy who said the decision means an exportation of terrorism to the south east

sunshine1974:
Following the relocation of Boko Haram detainees ...


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.”

The Federal Government obviously DOES NOT care about the welfare of the endangered Igbos. With the above statement it is clear that the security was not for the sake of the inhabitants, but was for the sake of their 'resentment '. That is, they were not supposed to complain? The people are now the enemies? What era is this, Herod's?