ANGRY youths, yesterday, brought
commercial activities in markets in Anambra State to a standstill following
alleged plan by the Federal Government to transfer suspected Boko Haram
prisoners to Ekwulobia Prison in Aguata local government area of the state.
Thousands of the youths blocked
major roads in the state, including the Head Bridge and the Enugu Onitsha expressway
in Onitsha, as well as the popular Zik Avenue in Awka, causing traffic gridlock
for several hours.
Though the protest was peaceful,
policemen in Onitsha were later seen firing teargas canisters to disperse
the protesters. The security operatives, later joined by soldiers stationed at
the Uga junction on Atani Road, were also seen removing the
barricades used by the youths to block the roads.
In all the cities in the state, the
youths waved placards with inscriptions that read, “We don’t want Boko Haram
prisoners in Anambra”; “Buhari, Igbos will not accept your prisoners”; “Anambra
is special and secured”; “Anambra is not a party to terrorists and should not
be involved in it”; “We say no to Boko Haram people in Anambra” and “Buhari,
why Anambra”.
At the Ekwulobia Prison, which was
named as the likely new abode for the Boko Haram prisoners, there was nothing
on ground to show that a large number of inmates were brought in there. Some
officials of the prison however said that they heard a rumour that some
prisoners from the northern part of the country would be brought there.
According to them, “there was nothing
on ground to show that new inmates were being expected as the situation here
has not changed.”
President General of Anambra Markets
Amalgamated Traders Association, AMATAS, Dr. Okwudili Ezenwankwo, who addressed
reporters in Onitsha, said they had from a very reliable source that plans had
been concluded to bring suspected Boko Haram prisoners to the state, adding
that they would do everything within their power to resist it.
Pressed to say how they got
information that such prisoners were to be brought to the state, Ezenwankwo
said: “We have our ears on ground and that is the much we can say for now. We
were informed that federal government wants to transfer the Boko Haram to
Anambra State and this is unacceptable to us.
“If you visit the Ekwulobia Prison,
you will discover that something is going on there. We are not against
President Muhammadu Buhari, but we want him to keep these special prisoners
where they belong.
“We know our president is a good man
and he will not do anything that will cause insecurity in this part of the
country to add to the existing one caused by Boko Haram insurgents. Anambra is
peaceful and we don’t want Boko Haram to come and cause confusion.”
According to Ezenwankwo, Anambra
traders have already brought the matter to the attention of Governor
Willie Obiano, adding that the governor was mandated by the traders to take
their protest over the matter to President Buhari.
Anambra State Police Public
Relations Officer, PPRO, Mr. Uche Eze, said the situation was properly handled because
the police was on top of the situation.
Source: Vanguard
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