Activities were paralyzed Tuesday in Ekwulobia, Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra state as traders, young and old trooped out to protest the dumping of alleged Boko Haram suspects in the prisons in the area.
As early as 7.30am, placard carrying protesters, including some clergy and high chiefs and women marched through the Ekwulobia Street to register their grievances.
All the shops in the Area were under lock and key as security operatives were deployed by the state commissioner of police, Hosea Karma to maintain law and order.
The chairman of Aguata Local government area, Mr.Tony Umeoji, while speaking with reporters said the transfer of the Boko Haram prisoners to the place was politically motivated.
He alleged that any attempt to interrupt the development of the South East from Anambra State, would be suicidal.
According to the council boss; “I must tell you that this development will chase away intending investors to Anambra State, thereby setting back the wheel of progress of the state.
‘It is a situation that calls for concern because of the apprehension and restiveness among the people of Ekwulobia.
“The people are scared and there is a general sense of insecurity in the place right now.
“The Ekwulobia prison does not have minimum capacity and facility for such high profile inmates.
“The prison is 80 bedded and there are already 133 in mates and you are adding another 43 in mates of the Boko Haram prisoners. That is too much and not healthy for human being,” he said.
Also in his own reaction, the member representing Aguata II Constituency in state House of assembly, Ikem Uzoezie appealed to the authorities concerned and President Muhammadu Buhari to as a matter of urgency relocate the Boko Haram inmates to a prison with maximum capacity and facility.
He said; “this development calls for concern because the relative peace we have been enjoying has been interrupted.”
Meanwhile, Uzoezie revealed that when the Assembly reconvenes, it would deliberate on the matter with a view to prevailing on the presidency to redress the issue.
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