When youths in Anambra got wind of an alleged plot to relocate some Boko Haram suspects in detention from the northern part of the country to their neighborhood, they barricaded major roads in the State in protest.
The youths and traders who said they have their ears on the ground, detailed a plot by the federal government to bring Boko Haram detainees to the Ekwulobia Prison in Aguata local government area of the state.
In the time it takes to put this news item up, most 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, had been blocked with traffic gridlock stretching into several hours, the result.
Policemen in Onitsha fired teargas canisters to disperse the protesters at some point. The security operatives who were 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.
Their placards bore several inscriptions like “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?”
President General of Anambra Markets Amalgamated Traders Association, AMATAS, Dr. Okwudili Ezenwankwo, said a very reliable source had told them that plans had been concluded to bring suspected Boko Haram prisoners to the state, adding that they would do everything within their powers to resist the move.
“We have our ears on the 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 ones caused by Boko Haram insurgents. Anambra is peaceful and we don’t want Boko Haram to come and cause confusion,” Ezenwankwo said.
The post ‘Buhari, Igbos Will Not Accept Your Prisoners’ | How Anambra Youths Protested Plan To Relocate Boko Haram Prisoners appeared first on Ekekeee.