Relocation of B’Haram suspects restores calm to Anambra

Calm has returned to Ekwulobia community in Aguata local government area of Anambra state after series of protests in June over the transfer of alleged Boko Haram suspects to a prison facility in the community.

A senior prisons official, who pleaded anonymity, confirmed to NAN that the transfer of the suspects was effected at the midnight of Tuesday.

The source also said that the relocation was a great relief to the inmates because the prisons was almost at full capacity before the arrival of the suspects.

“I can confirm to you that the Boko Haram suspects have been moved,” the source said.

But Ali Okechukwu, spokesman of the police in the state, said he had not been briefed of the development and that he could not confirm it at the time of this report.

A NAN correspondent who visited the prison on Thursday, said there was heavy security presence at the entrance of the facility.

A trader at the popular Ekwulobia market who identified himself as Chibuzor, said he was not aware of the relocation of the prisoners but said his trade recorded boost when the suspects were newly transferred to the community.

“We don’t know about it; we do not have problem here; what I know is that after they came, there was protest but for us, market boomed because the prisons authorities came to buy foams and other things,” he said.

John Ezendu, a native of the town, said there was nothing to be excited about as there had been no threat to the tranquility of the community since the suspects were transferred to the town.

Ezendu said what was important to the people was the construction of good roads and development of the area.

“We understand that the Boko Haram suspects have been moved from here; that was no problem to us, as you can see there is no excitement,” he said.

“What we are praying and hoping for is the construction of our roads so that we can enjoy the benefit of federal presence.”