Southeast Governors Reject Transfer of Boko Haram Suspects To Anambra

Posted by African Examiner Featured, Latest Headlines, News Monday, July 6th, 2015

By IGNATIUS OKPARA, Owerri – The South-east governors Forum have condemned in strong terms the recent relocation of Boko Haram suspects to the Ekwulobia prison in Anambra state by the Federal Government.

Southeast governors reject transfer of Boko Haram prisoners to their zone

Briefing newsmen at the end of their closed door meeting in Owerri, the Imo state capital on sunday, the Governors, noted that the relocation of the suspected terrorists is already creating fear and security tension in the zone, especially around the state where the prisons are located.

AFRICAN EXAMINER reports that the meeting was the first since after the general election.

Imo State Governor, Rochas Okorocha, who spoke on behalf of his colleagues, said that the Governors, have deliberated on the possible consequences of the relocation of the Boko Haram suspects, concluding that it was not in the best interest of the zone.

According to him, even though the decision was purely a security matter, it has a far reaching effect on the psyche of the people in the region.

His word: “We are appealing to the Federal Government to have a rethink on the relocation of the Boko Haram suspects”

“If there is any place they should be relocated to it should be Abuja where they have enough security.

“The issue is already creating security concern in the zone.” Okorocha stated.

On the rumour making the rounds that Governors from the zone may likely recall Igbos in the troubled North, he said,“we are all part of the entity called Nigeria, and we share in the plight of our brothers in the North East, so it is not the issue of recalling the Igbo in any part of the country, but to make sure that they are secured anywhere they find themselves”.

Okorocha disclosed that the meeting equally discussed the fate of the Igbos displaced in the North as a result of the insurgency and appealed to the Federal Government to adequately compensate them”

Present at the meeting were Governors of Imo, Abia, Enugu, and Ebonyi States, while Anambra was absent, though, sent in his regrets.