Bokoharam prisoners finally in Anambra prison,military has taken over security in Anambra prison

Firstclass newsline learnt that security operations in the Federal
Government facility are no longer the exclusive preserve of the
officials of the Nigeria Prison Service.
The development, sources told firstclass newsline, is not unconnected
with the calibre of the detainees being held behind the walls of the
facility.
A visit by a source 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. A source 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 firstclass newsline.
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 statement titled; "The Transfer of Boko Haram Detainees to
Ekwulobia Prisons: the true position," maintained that the governor
had not made any official press statement on the issue as reported in
some national dailies.
The statement read in parts, "We wish to inform the general public
that Governor Obiano never made any comments to these publications.
Since the eruption of this controversy, Governor Obiano's position has
been consistent. This was fully reflected in the two press Statements
issued on Sunday, June 28, 2015 and Wednesday July 1, 2015. In both
statements, his message was simple – he re-assured Ndi Anambra that he
was on top of the situation and that he was speaking with the relevant
authorities to achieve a peaceful resolution of the issue. Governor
Obiano's commitment to this extremely sensitive issue remains the
same."
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 firstclass newsline crew in Umuahia,
described the action as " exportation of terrorism to the peaceful
South-East region."
Firstclassnewsline.net