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 is not unconnected with the calibre of the detainees being held behind the walls of the facility.
A visit by 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.
Punch 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 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.”
If this is indeed true,I still dont get it...Why Ekwulobia prisons?Why Anambra?
God abeg ooooo.....
ReplyDeleteWhy can't they be anywhere? Prison is no one's house. It belongs to thieves and criminals. FG has the right to put any prisoner anywhere abegi
DeleteHaba Stella, why ask why Anambra? Why forget that Buhari IS THE LEADER OF BOKO HARAM?? The man is upset that the monster he created which is now out of his control has destroyed the North of Nigeria and SO wants other parts of Nigeria to feel some of Boko haram's madness. Simple. Here is the thinking: - transfer boko haram prisoners to the East so that the attention of bokoharam demons shifts to the East and then whenever they decide to come free their members they leave a trail of bombings and bloodshed. For reason's sake can't you observe that military checkpoints were banned few weeks before this transfer??? This is to pave the way for free access of persons and explosives across the country. Buhari IS INDEED a DEMON. Nigerians never start to see. Wait and watch or pray this demon called Buhari back to hell.
DeleteBeen quiet on this issue
DeleteThis is really sad!
Seems like a calculated act by Buhari. In as much as it's a federal prison and inmates can be transfered, this is wrong. All I feel is a man indirectly trying to punish igbos for not supporting his political ambitions. He is desperately trying to suppress them and put fear in them hence that transfer! (that's if they are even the boko boys sef)
I am an Anambrarian. Eventhough I don't live there, I have families there. And my people can sabi fear sometimes.
My advice if all efforts to sway Buhari's mind fails, they should keep calm n PRAY God turns things for good. NOTHING, I mean ABSOLUTELY NOTHING will happen. Stop over begging him (before d boko boys on ground will sense ur fears n try to terrorise east small).
Buhari is not God!!! If Bokoharam wanted to terrorise east, they knew the way all along. Why didn't they come down? The only people in major danger (God forbid) are those that'll try to stop them from prison break if they tried to.
Quit the worries! Whatever evil plans behind this will backfire on them. We serve Almighty God. He can't fold arms n let anything bad happen to his people.
Buhari, I supported u o! Don't make me regret it! Power intoxicates o! Put ur personal emotions and grievances in ur pocket n serve Nigeria well o. #wearewatching#
Stella let me answer your question, because Buhari hates igbos so much.
ReplyDeleteHe is still upset that igbos didn't vote for him during the election.
By their fruits,we shall know them.Enemies of progress and change.That is why u people cannot stay in ur state to earn a living.Unah just spread around Nigeria like sand.Shallow minded individuals.Do u think Buhari is like u selfish fellows?Transfer of those detainees to that place is to decongest prisons there were before.Ignorant fellas!
DeleteIf other prisons were free,am very sure the govt will not think of moving them there in the first place.
I understand most igbos hatred for Buhari,and is bcos he is not like GEJ that condoned ur evil acts of importing fake products into the country the way u people like and other criminal activities being perpetuated by the igbos in the country.Godwin at sha.U can't do anything about his victory for now.Is ether u accept him for gud or u stay out of his ways.
Yes, very true. Very wicked useless president u guys have.
DeleteLol @ Mallam Ismail Aminu.You want one nigeria.You want to depend on ND oil forever.You want igbos to stay in their states You dont want igbo realise Biafra.It's ok.You are an hausa man.
Delete@Ismail, from all that u ve written above, do u not think dat u urself is d enemy of progress. U ve deep rooted jealousy in u. So so sorry for ur bitterness. I pray help comes ur way soon......
DeleteIsmail, u are the most thoughtless person I've ever read his comments. U just write like u have no brains. Everybody knows how Buhari feels about the Igbos but he shouldn't have made it so obvious. If he had good intentions y sneak them in at night? Ekwulobia is a very quiet place with small businesses but with this the people may react badly. And as for Igbos spreading around making good money, I can't remember anyone tell ur people to remain cobblers and gate men all their lives.
DeleteAminu you are a dunce and ur shallow minded as well! Infact u need a huge slap to reset ur brain! u r happy cos he wants to divert ur brothers that are bombing ur families to our peaceful east abi? He didnt see any other place to take them to? May God help u cos u need help! U r cursing igbos that strive to make a living, atleast we dont go begging like ur brothers! Ewu mmee
DeleteIsmail God punish ur ugly black face... ur stupid president should take his fellow mallams back to Daura and leave the Igbos alone u fools!
DeleteIsmail Aminu, from your own fruit also we know you. Buhari is the president or not has nothing to do with the success of an Igbo man. We were never born to be beggars. Evenif they do the election 1 million times the Igbos wont beg for Buhari.
DeleteImagine you are scared of your brothers that you have to bring them to the eastfor what? Truth be told, I prefer to import fake products which any sensible human will understand that I want to make a living than to be a terrorist for nothing.
Send our fake products to us and keep ur terrorists to yourself. Even since an Hausa is a president now and you guys hate Igbos that much and we do all the evil things as we said, why not leave us to form our own country as we have wanted all these while.
Ismail aminu , u are a nitwit, so of all the states he could transfer the prisoners , it is ekwulobia, did u not read that the prison can hardly contain the inmates already situated there? U change clamourers can never see anything wrong with ur "lord" . u type and call people ignorant , meanwhile u have only displayed ur empty skull. Unu ga fuju Anya . mpama
DeleteOne day sha u people will stop this tribal resentment of yourselves.
DeleteMaybe they should have done this move quietly without informing the public. You can't blame anyone for being apprehensive. These BH sadists have caused the nation enough havoc.
Ismail you are the only one spewing hate here!!
DeleteJust note that a lot of Igbo's voted Buhari.. ask Bv Ada Mazi and Co.. it is quite unfortunate that you reason like this!!
It is very worrisome that a small town like Ekwulobia is housing these terrorists! More fishy is the fact that renovations or some sort of expansion was not made!
Is it not the Nigerian Military that have been rumoured to have dealings with Boko Haram that they unleashed in that town? Same Nigerian military that still has a case to answer with amnesty International? Will that town ever remain the same?
You mentioned with so much hatred how Igbos have destroyed Nigeria! So what about us that have endured the terrorism obviously emanating from the North? How many Igbos died from attacks in Katsina,Kano,Zamfara,Sokoto etc? But we still come out smiling,even voting a Northern. President in.
From this statement released,those military men are there to make sure the indigenes don't harm the prisoners not the other way round.
I have a lot of questions as a citizen of the Federal Republic Of Nigeria:
1)Why Ekwulobia?
2)What influenced this decision... I actually do not believe it has to do with our president's hate or whatever people think.. it will be too obvious.. I feel something bigger is cooking,i do not like the smell.
3)when will they be sentenced? Or they will await trial forever?
4)during the Niger Delta crisis,were the militants moved so dramatically to a northern or western prison in such short notice?
Jaymoore nna,i will appreciate your input. Maybe,just maybe...I will understand better.
Ismail....rot in hell....infact in the hottest part of hell....Idiot Aboki, useless he-goat, Mkpi.
DeleteMansions are talking...Face-me-I-face is talking too....Idiot fool
Foolish retard like u,talking abt igbos in such manner.U even resemble those boko haram *diots sef.U are so pained bc igbos are industrious.When ur dev*ilish people are busy looking for where to perpetuate evil,igbos are busy working hard to improve their lives!Nobody made u wretched,so stop eating urself raw! Ugly be*ast
DeleteFoolish retard like u,talking abt igbos in such manner.U even resemble those boko haram *diots sef.U are so pained bc igbos are industrious.When ur dev*ilish people are busy looking for where to perpetuate evil,igbos are busy working hard to improve their lives!Nobody made u wretched,so stop eating urself raw! Ugly be*ast
DeleteWho is this moron inform of a human? Aboki ismail,u are just a hungry i*diot looking for cheap meal. Ozu nwuru anwu. Ur hatred for igbos will lead u to ur early grave. Anu mpama
DeleteIsmail with ur elastic wife mouth
DeleteAnuofia Ismail Aminu,since u decided to make dis issue ur personal matter,I've also resolved to treat u like a bas* tard that u are. Ur wretched name alone oozes wickedness in d high places! Uncircumcized dog
Delete@ismail, no wonder Ur face be like amala. Senseless maggot.
Delete*have
DeleteIsmail u are a bastard born by mistake, u and ur generation will die of envy. D igbos are making progress while ur people are there begging and being shoemakers. Make God punish dat ur useless mouth. Ewu gambia. Ewu Ewu Ewu Oloriburuku oloshi jatijati, omo malla, ebot, unam ikot. With ur shangala houses.
DeleteUr useless people want to destroy our peaceful east.
Make I think of more curses 4 dis bastard pikin
**signing out**
Stella, please publish the statement as release by Anambra Governor stating that this transfer of boko haram suspect was approved in 2012 by the then gov Peter Obi and Gej, according to the statement the transfer would have been done but was put on hold so Gej could get the votes from south east and still would have done the transfer if he had won. So people please Buhari did not order the transfer, Peter Obi and Gej did!
DeleteIgbo ppl wow...
DeleteIsmail, ugly monkey like you should be in the zoo and not around humans. Your hatred 4 ibo pple will surly kill you. Olori buruku. I'm yoruba but can't stand nit wits like u. All the dirty businesses u mentioned is also done by hausa's n yorubas if ur ugly self don't knw. Mr Ismail Omo ale.
DeleteStella,stop wondering.
ReplyDeleteBuhari is very vindictive.He is a heartless and remorseless human being.He want to punish the igbos for not voting him.
Anambra is a peaceful and beautiful city, nice culture and good food not a place for terrorism and rising tension.
DeleteExactly! Our Gov dey craze to allow dis invasion.
Deletehttp://www.nairaland.com/2422837/peter-obi-jonathan-brought-boko
DeleteStella, please read and let people know Buhari has nothing to do with transfer, let the name calling be directed to the appropriate people.
Jesus what nonsense! Why are they dragging Boko Haram to my state, to d east! wtf! Buhari thks is like d lowest of d low! Cos he is from North, he wants to divert d bombing to d east! This is very bad. Its not enough that d military men are there. Were they not in d North n Boko still had their way? And our Governor allowed this bullshit! wth!!!
ReplyDeleteWell, at least the commander in chief is sensitive anof to order the deployment of more security to fortify the area & protect the town as well!
ReplyDeleteGHANAMAN signing out!
what nonsense security! Is it not d same security that they kept in d North n Boko haram still bombed almost every week. please go back to Ghana!
DeleteU think so, they ve aim for doing this not just d boko prisoners.
DeleteThis a strategy of bringing soldiers to the east cos of some activities in d east, like Radio Biafra and so on.
Y'all are reading too much meanings into this! If they take dem to Ogoja, pple their go talk. If they're moved to Ibadan, dem sef go complain. Even if they bring dem down here to PH, we go still complain. Na wah for una o. Prisoners transfer is a common trend everywhere in the world. Na only here pple read hatred & marginalisation into it. Y'all shd stop creating a storm in a tea cup abeg!
DeleteGhanaman signing out!
After some time the military will ease off. They shouldn't even make so much noise. Na to slowly give them sniper for their food and they die slowly. Who has time to wait for prison break story here. They don't deserve to live.
Delete@ Ghanaman: the current security crises in Naija needs to be assessed from all available lens, including, the past and future projections. Even the US made sure to fortify Guantanamo exclusively for just these types of high risk prisoners: located in an inpenetrable island; maximum security prison 24/7; absent any population mixing with other levels of criminals. So, what is the logical explanation for transferring BH prisoners to a prison that is not maximum security or mixing BH prisoners with the rest population, whether inside or outside with a densely populated community; or in a space that is over-capacity already? It's rather unfortunate, the chiefs and certain leaders of this and similar communities can't read the handwriting on the wall b/4 it's too late.
DeleteSince that traditional ruler said transfer of prisoners is a normal thing, then I don't see the issue here, if it wasn't anambra it would still be another state and people would still complain.
ReplyDeleteThe isssue of maximum security has been resolved to an extent I think, by the military.
I'm seeing it from another perspective, the Govt can't share all Military Intelligence with us, so far Boko haram hasn't crossed the north, they could have gotten wind of a planned prison break and taking them East was the best option.
U won't see d issue cos u don't know what d problem is. The problem is DAT d Ekwuluobia prison z not a MAXIMUM prison, and it is also full arleady.
DeleteWhat's d court still doing about d case, and why still keep dem in d prison?
What is Buhari thinking?
ReplyDeleteHe purposely want to import Boko haram violence down to the south east.Nothing can be more sinister and devilish
Imagine innocent people being compelled by soldiers to raise up their arms and get frisked
before they are allowed passage on the streets of Ekwuluobia.It so unureal and incredible.It sounds more like a scene from a yorubawood movie.
Buhari should retrace his step ASAP.
What is Buhari thinking?
ReplyDeleteHe purposely want to import Boko haram violence down to the south east.Nothing can be more sinister and devilish
Imagine innocent people being compelled by soldiers to raise up their arms and get frisked
before they are allowed passage on the streets of Ekwuluobia.It so unureal and incredible.It sounds more like a scene from a yorubawood movie.
Buhari should retrace his step ASAP.
They can take them to any prison in nigeria. You don't even know where they are taking the next set. I don't see any reason for all these sentimental rantings. Over to you ppl now for follow up insults biko.
ReplyDeleteExactly. Don't forget that u are dealing with Nigerians.. there's nothing we won't turn into a big deal. Although I think they d should have been discreet about the move
DeleteSo taking BH terrorists to a non maximum security prison is a good move ba? In your own opinion. If I insult u now, they will say eka joy has started. Anyways u are very stupid for that.
DeleteIt is a big deal sisi.
DeleteJust imagine your little small town,then imagine such an invasion.. you will have several questions am sure.
It is only natural that people will be inquisitive,doubtful,scared and suspicious.
@Sisi eko, I look forward to your comments, but this time around you got it wrong. Well you can say this cos it's not within your area. Feel for the people that own the land. That prison is not a maximum prison. Pushing such individuals can lead to so many things. If there is prison break there, they have already infiltrated the land. It will be difficult to contain. It's like a virus.
DeleteObiano you are a big fool for allowing this
ReplyDeleteAs in eh! What was he thinking! Buhari is wicked! Instead of stopping Boko haram, he is spreading their coast! What rubbish!
DeleteNo, Peter obi did.
DeleteOh pls shut up and stop insulting obiano, insult Jonathan and Peter obi instead. More over its a federal person they can transfer anyone der stop making a big deal out of dis issue, I'm 4rm anambra 2 but d prison is 4 federal government let dem do watever dey want with it.
DeleteSame ? on my mind...why Anambra? Maybe they have a bigger facility, abi?
ReplyDeleteIts so obvious dat he wants dem to start invading east! Whoever dat is behind dis transfer is so useless "baba go slow"
ReplyDeleteIsmail Aminu u are a bloody fool. U infidel! Confused son of a nonentity.
ReplyDeleteBaba go slow.. pack ur fellow mallams aka bh to Daura and leave the Igbos alone.. snail Buhari
ReplyDeleteWicked vindictive Buhari
ReplyDeleteYou don't get it Stella?? Ok, let me explain. Buhari want's to spread BH all over Nigeria. With all the job at hand the first thing mallam did sharp-sharp is to spread BH..
ReplyDeleteHmmmm! Am speechless, my state and my town
ReplyDeleteLoads of brainless ethnic bigots on this blog. What has Buhari got to do with the transfer of prisoners. Those who hate unnecessary are always blinded by their stupidity. Awolowo was in calabar prison back in the day. Gani was in prison in various parts of the north. Rivers prison hosted some boko haram prisoners for months, there was no noise. Ehimare
ReplyDeleteShut your retarded ass up. It is only you that is the one brainless cockroach here.
DeleteI still do not understand the confusion here,did buhari build housing estate for boko haram in anambra state ,no ,the prison is a federal prison ,bh are in prison under chains and locks so which one is spreading bh na wa for Nigerians ,looking for matter where there is no mathias
ReplyDeleteSo the Boko haram prisoners are in Anambra already
ReplyDeleteWow,that's not good
Buhari wicked man,his trying to spread his boy around
@Iphie nne congrats how is new baby? Couldn't reply under your comment as the curses are too much for people who worshipped on Sunday. Even thou i did not like @Aminu comment we can as well make our views without sounding like him as well.
ReplyDeleteI heard the prisoner transfer was signed before current administration. As far as we practice federalism even thou is not true federalism prisoners transfer to any part of Nigeria has always been in existence and will continue, be it rapist,terrorist, murderers, I don't think transfer of prisoners to any part of igbo land is because government have ulterior motive rather is normal in any society is called decongesting of prisons. What the community should seek from the government is better security protection within the prison/community/state and also advise the military guys not to abuse their host community. We are too sentimental in every issue as a tribe it seem our anger nowadays is not focused on nation building rather trying to point any little thing as working against us even irrelevant issues by so doing we are creating more hatred toward us.
We worry too much.
@Aminu your comment is unnecessary but i guess you are a typical Nigerian who always think along tribal line in everything, i got so many hate comments supporting PMB here we supported him because we want better Nigeria not because he is Hausa man so be guided.
U state things from the book too much and it's quite funny. Don't think that governments are run straight from the books like that. The CIA do a lot of underground work. Even the American govt take things into cognisance before acting. This is why when you're testifying against the mafia, the govt may put you under witness protection. Change your state and even name. This is discretion. Not everything is black or white. Legal or illegal. A govt without discretion is dead. The things that make a govt 'unpopular' in this modern era isn't really the 'illegal' things they do but some legal things they could have avoided.
DeleteNo government can pretend that it can do everything it has the right to do. You can't rule in vacuum. You have people to report situations to you and public opinion which you act on.
Every country have their own unique problems. For America, it may be immigration. For Russia, may be racism. For us, it's tribalism. Our federation is unique. We were different tribes brought together for administrative purposes. Diff from France that revolted or American 13 colonies. We are barely tolerating each other and moving forward. The government shouldn't have set the problem 10 steps back by bringing insurgents from an alien religion, a tribe that had fought a bitter war with the SE to the SE. And it's not this but that they are terrorists.
Those who talk here cloak issues. Just to sound right and it's bad.
-these terrorists have strong religious aversion for xtianity, practised in the East
-these terrorists have history of prison break.
-it takes more than an arm full of soldiers to make a maximum security prison.
-nigeria has a history of complacency and security laxity.
-security checkpoints of soldiers have been disbanded on highways
-if an attempt at prison break occurs, the native community will suffer.
Ask yourself, Could it have been avoided?
The answer is YES.
Let's please not pretend it's ibos trying to prevent hausa prisoners. This isn't a case of tribal bias. These are NOT mere northern prisoners so the case of awolowo in SE prison is just to support a dead point.
Bokoharam is a pox. You don't cure a pox by spreading the sufferers. Rather, you quarantine them to contain it.
Have you asked yourself what happens if their men at arms seeing the nature of the prison decides to organise a prison break and kill residents who get in their way? Will the ibos home and abroad not retaliate because they have fled the north and you bring in the trouble back to their own land. They will act like men whose backs are against the wall.
Or if some fellows infiltrate the prison and slit the boko haram prisoners throats. Won't boko haram introduce bombs into the East?
In otherwords, it is a shaky situation that can potentially bring about disaster and even war. Wars have happened for much less. Why wasn't it avoided?
ppl should think! Doesn't the govt know the long history between these two tribes and all. Wouldn't it have been wiser to avoid all the delicate issue. To avoid breakdown of relations? Being legal isn't same thing as being wise... all wise countries know this. I can legally kill a puppy in front of its mother dog.its legal, does it mean it's wise or safe? why not go and match a chick in front of a hen because it's your own and you can, and see how that plays out.
@Bona i can understand your analysis but calling other peoples religion alien is very unfair and i do not agree to such same way I wouldn't agree to muslims calling your religion alien as both seem to fall into same category.
DeleteWe all agree they are terrorists we are not the only country affected, even islamic countries are faced with same problem. You said BH is a pox so Where do you expect the government to quarantine them? Build an island like US did? if eastern states do not take some of them, don't you think other states will reject the prisoners as well?
If same prisoners are maltreated amnesty international will hold current government responsible and we are yet to come out of current allegations. With good security system manned by the military am sure prison break will not occur.
@jay:
DeleteC'mon bro. I am very much open to islam. I read their books and have many wonderful, peaceful Muslim friends. I can tell you why their religion is being used by these terrorists but that is another issue for another cool day. 'Alien' I meant was 'foreign'
a·li·en/ˈālēən/
adjective
belonging to a foreign country or nation.
I mean, islam isn't predominant in the East and they don't understand or sympathise with it.
As for quarantine, it was just a way of saying the govt should hold the prisoners in the north since the group is established there, so the thing doesn't go beyond its control. Something is better contained in a territory. Just like you have ants in your closet, you don't spread the sugar before you get insecticide. That way it becomes difficult to get them all.
Anywayz. Thanks for your understanding. It's the way forward that matters and it's peace that will favour us all.
Lool yes my sister/bro what "sex"are you self ? Thanks for comment i wish most people here will learn respond to comments like you did without abuses. Nigeria go beta we all want peace. Cheers.
DeleteGod will protect his people. Any evil plan against them will fail woefully in Jesus name amen.
ReplyDelete