If there's one area the nascent Muhammadu Buhari-led Federal Government is undeniably not living up to expectations, it is the area of information dissemination and communication. It's disheartening how we don't get to hear anything about anything from the Presidency, despite boasting of two seasoned special assistants on media and publicity in its ranks. Consequently, we are left to the mercy of speculative journalism and hearsay from our media houses.

As a case in point, last week, about 47 Boko Haram suspects were whisked into the Ekwulobia Prison in Anambra state in the dead of night from other correctional facilities located in the northern parts of the country following a directive from the Federal Government. Predictably, the decision has not gone down well with a lot of people and it has met with widespread anger and condemnation.

Bearing in mind the delicate nature of the issue and sentiments that are already at a tipping point in the region, one would have expected that the Presidency – which initiated the action in the first place – would come out to either deny or confirm the allegations. Rather, it has elected to remain silent and ignore the matter as if it is a non-issue or an "unnecessary distraction" that will resolve itself and eventually die down in the course of time.

The sanctioning and actual transfer of the said persons to the said penitentiary portends a clear and present danger to the peace and harmony that pervades the state in particular and the South East region at large, as rightly pointed out by the member representing the zone in the Federal House of Representatives, Hon. Eucharia Azodo.

Firstly, the Ekwulobia Prison is not a maximum security prison; it lacks the requisite facilities necessary to withstand a major breakdown of law and order within and outside its four walls. Thus, ab initio, it is not qualified to house such high-profile and dangerous prisoners.

Secondly, the said prison had already been operating well above its installed capacity of a mere 85 prisoners for quite some time now before a further 47 inmates were added to the register a week ago, significantly increasing the feasibility of a major breakdown of law and order.

Finally and most importantly, it is located at the heart of a busy town home to almost 500,000 people. Ideally, prisons of any size are not meant to be located in the center of towns and cities or anywhere near them for obvious reasons, not to talk about prisons housing people accused of terrorism.

Ekwulobia is located within a sprawling agglomeration of densely populated towns, including, but not limited to Oko (which plays host to a federal polytechnic), Nanka, Agulu and Igbo Ukwu. Jailbreaks have been known to occur in more secure prisons nationwide and terrorists have often laid siege on military cantonments and barracks across the country, what is the capacity of the Ekwulobia Prison to resist such and what will be its impact on the hundreds of thousands of people residing in the area?

This possibility cannot be solved by merely wishing it away or saying that it can never happen. A good security system is one that prepares for the worst so that when the worst comes it will know how to approach it. The reported militarization of the prison and its environs does not solve any problem, rather it creates another problem of its own. It leads to a rising sense of fear, apprehension and intimidation among the locals. It gives the impression that all is not well.

Indeed, all is not well. The best thing the Presidency or the Federal Government can do now is to promptly release an official statement addressing the issue and intimating us on how it intends the resolve the problem. Doing so will go a long way in proving that it is not becoming increasingly distant and disconnected from the masses who voted it into office or indifferent to their needs.


Chinedu George Nnawetanma writes in from Enugu via cnnawetanma@gmail.com

http://saharareporters.com/2015/07/05/relocation-prisoners-anambra-state-and-federal-governments-deafening-silence-chinedu

One chance government

The Fulani man won't respond.... I mean how does the East matter?

Pa Buhari wants the east to have a taste of terrorism, forgetting that it is not actually security measures that has kept us safe all these while, rather it has been GOD on your side.


he Pa Buhari will be put to shame and whatever he intends to achieve from this will never come to pass

Buhari is the devil.

One gud man 2 save us we cant find.

how will d fulani man respond when he is still looking for tips from gej.....

They've scammed us.... even the youths, market woman et al. are asking the same questions... Why is our government becoming very far away from us

If this was how they ran their campaigns they won't even win any Local council.

I blame GEJ for capturing bokoharam and not killing them instead he said they should lock them in prison now ndigbo are shouting PA BUhari...eti ri nkan nkan ese se bere ni

shey na una carry change for head like gala.

I was here Just incase

I was here Just incase

I blame gej for capturing bokoharam and not killing them instead he insist they should be imprisoned. Now ndigbo are shouting PA BUHARI... Eti ri nkan nkan ese se bere ni

Since Buhari fell out with Tinubu, Sahara reporters have resumed criticising the federal government of Nigeria under Buhari.

Buhari creating room for lynching of his brothers down East


The East will be soaked in Northern blood if BH strikes.


Even though lion is the king of the jungle, it there not challenge a full grown Anaconda.

muhyeenisce:
I blame gej for capturing bokoharam and not killing them instead he insist they should be imprisoned. Now ndigbo are shouting PA BUHARI... Eti ri nkan nkan ese se bere ni

I'm loving this! Where are the mods?! lalasticlala lalasticlala

hmmm

Buhari's plan is to Islamize Nigeria.

This is evident in all his political appointments ....they are all from the North and entirely muslims

Another proof is this relocation of captured boko haram members to Anambra....

the next thing you hear is jail brake orchestrated by other boko haram members and then the south east become another war zone with boko haram members all over the state.

One chance government

nak*d Lady Caught On Camera Riding On A Motorcycle Through The Streets [See Photos]

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No be Jonah and Obi organise everything ni?

This is serious

They want to kill of the buzz with their silence.
That is to tell us how well the Fed Govt wishes the Ndi Igbo.
The worst is that our Gov have decided to dance with the devil not knowin at long run he won't gain anything.

Ukpana na-agba oku a sisi puta n'oku, si ka ahapu ya na o bu mmanu ka o na-aha.

I have an entertaining article on bridal makeup on wedding days. Women read up n enjoy your Sunday.

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Am calling on commander in chief of armed forces to resign...

He wants t0 ruin 0ur c0mmunities,,,,,,,,ah blame igb0 w0 eva v0ted fr him.......buh his plans w0nt w0rk....Jesus Christ is here wid us

Lemme read 1st
Modified There won't be any reply to this as usual. I just read it for reading sake

Thats why he is called a dullard

I trust anambra guys. They can secretly throw boko haram prisoners inside river Niger
http://jobmasternigeria.org/graduate-vacancy-at-standard-chartered-bank/

Buhari is a disaster and a disgrace to that seat