Anambra, Nigeria: The people of Anambra state blocked the Enugu-Onitsha expressway after they got the news of the federal government plan to transfer Boko Haram prisoners to the state. All commercial activities in the major cities of Onitsha, Awka, Nnewi, Ekwulobia and Agulu came to a total stand still as traders protest the transfer, and also warns the federal government that they will turn on the government if pushed to the wall and bring back Biafra.
The secretary general of the Anambra State Amalgamated Traders Association,Chief Chuma Elucharu said that the protest will continue until the federal government confirmed there is no plan for such transfer, there was tension as police use tear gas to disrupt the protest.
The protesters carry placards like; ‘Biafra kanyi choro’ (We want Biafra), ‘Buhari, Igbos cannot accept your prisoners, ‘We do not want Boko Haram in Anambra,’ ‘Federal Government, why extend Boko Haram to Anambra?’ and ‘Boko Haram prisoners are not allowed here.’.
A senior prison official, who asked not to be named, confirmed that they recently got a signal that they should prepare to receive some members of the deadly sect soon.
The public relation officer of the Nigeria prison service, Francis Enebore said that the Boko Haram members are all awaiting trial and can't be moved from the jurisdiction of the court where they are prosecuted. He said that the rumour going around that the Boko Haram are being transferred to Anambra have no iota of truth in it.