Rep Petitions Prisons Comptroller-General Over Boko Haram Prisoners Transfer To Anambra

Following the reported relocation of some Boko Haram detainees from prisons in Nigeria’s north to Anambra State, the member representing Aguata federal constituency in the House of Representatives, Hon. Eucharia Azodo, has petitioned the Comptroller-General of Nigerian Prison Service expressing fears on the security implication and overstretched prison facility where the detainees are held.

In the petition, Azodo argued that Ekwulobia Prison where the Boko Haram detainees are reportedly held does not have the capacity to accommodate such high risk inmates.

“Ekwulobia Prison in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State is not a maximum security prison. The prison originally has the capacity to house 85 inmates but it is presently overburdened with 135 inmates. The new 47 Boko Haram inmates will over stretch the prison and that could pose dangerous consequences for the community and entire state”, Azodo told newmen in Abuja

The federal lawmaker reported that the arrival of the Boko Haram detainees have caused panic and triggered protests in the commercial city of Onitsha, Ekwulobia and other major cities of Anambra State. Many businesses including markets, filling stations have been closed as a result of the arrival of the Boko Haram detainees, Azodo said.

She feared that the Boko Haram attacks which has ravaged many parts of the north could be imported to the state as a result of the presence of the inmates.

“There is a general fear of the possibility of a jailbreak aided by their (Boko Haram) members. The relocation of the prisoners to Ekwulobia is in flagrant violation of the avowed wishes of the peace-loving people of Anambra State. Even though the management of prisons is on the exclusive list, I urge the federal government to rescind it’s decision to relocate the Boko Haram detainees to Anambra‎” the lawmaker appealed.