Presidency, Obiano Discuss Retransfer of Prisoners from Anambra

Thu, Jul 9, 2015
By publisher
3 MIN READ

Security

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A SEVEN-MAN delegation from the office of the national security adviser meets with that of the Anambra State government led by Governor Willie Obiano over the re-transfer of Boko Haram convicts from Ekwulobia Prison

The controversies generated by the curious transfer of 47 Boko Haram suspects to Ekwulobia Prisons in Anambra State may soon go away following a two-hour closed door meeting on Wednesday, July 8, between Willie Obiano, governor of Anambra State, and a seven-man delegation from the national security adviser at the Governor’s Lodge, Amawbia.

The meeting which attracted highly respected senior citizens of the state took place at the instance of the presidency following a passionate appeal by Governor Obiano, endless protests and wide agitations by traders, the South East Governors’ Forum, Ohaneze Ndigbo, Aka Ikenga, members of the Christian Association of Nigeria, CAN, Anambra State Council of Traditional Rulers, Association of Town Unions, civil society groups and numerous social cultural associations across the region against the transfer of the dreaded inmates from Chad to Ekwulobia.

Addressing the press after the meeting, Governor Obiano assured Anambra people that the deliberations between his team and the team from the presidency was highly successful and expressed optimism that the matter would be resolved very soon.

Obiano and members of the delegation
Obiano and members of the delegation

Flanked by Nnaemka Achebe, Obi of Onitsha, Cyril Enweze, traditional ruler of Umuoji, Paulinus Okafor, Catholic Bishop of Awka, Alexander Ibezim, Anglican Bishop of Awka, Theo Okpala, Anambra State Chairman of CAN, Akudolu Gozie, Coordinator South East Traders Association, Okwudili Ezenwankwo, President General AMATAS, Jude Okolo, National President ASATU and Ephraim Ilozumba, National Legal Adviser ASATU, Obiano explained that the presidency was fully aware of the strong feelings of Anambra people against the presence of the high risk prisoners and had given his assurance that the dreaded inmates would soon be moved out of the state.

He called on Anambra people to maintain the peace and desist from anything that might lead to a disruption of the harmonious atmosphere that has enveloped the state in the past one year, emphasising that the matter would soon be over.

Since news of the transfer of the deadly prisoners to Ekwulobia, a bustling commercial town in Aguata Local Government Area, filtered to town, Governor Obiano has been relentless in his efforts to engage all the relevant authorities on the matter in Abuja, while re-assuring Ndi Anambra to desist from anything that might lead to a breach of the peace.

— Jul 9, 2015 @ 18:50 GMT

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