Christian Association of Nigeria (CAN) Anambra State chapter
has called on the
Federal Government of Nigeria to as a matter of urgency to relocate the
Boko-Haram terrorist inmate transferred to Ekwulobia Prison penultimate last
week out of Anambra state.
The association’s
call came amidst protest by the women, youth wings of the body as well as their
clerics at the Emmaus House in Awka, the Anambra State capital.
In the communiqué
signed by the Chairman and Secretary of the Christian Association of Nigeria,
Anambra State Chapter, Special Senior Appostle Tim Okpala and Revd. Moses
Ezedebego respectively after an emergency meeting of the State executives and leaders of CAN forum in the State, the
Chairman of the association in the state,
Snr. Apostle Tim Okpala, said the insurgents should have been taken to
other place or places in the country but not in Anambra State or any part of South East.
Apostle Okpala
said at the occasion which was attended
by five bishops from Catholic and Anglican church as well as the heads of all
the blocks that make up CAN that the insurgents which have become a global
dread could inflict emotional injuries in the people , who have been living in
relatively peaceful environment.
They therefore,
recommended to the Federal Government to take such dreaded and high profile
criminal inmates to a well armed military barracks or maximum security prisons,
saying that Ekwulobia does not belong to those maximum prisons.
CAN said in the
communiqué that in as much as they were aware that Ekwulobia prison as a
Federal Prison, the Federal Government has the power to use it for inmates from
any part of the country, but insisted that bringing Boko Haram insurgents to
the prison in the state, constitutes a security threat to the lives and
property of the people in the state.
The Bishops
present were Archbishop of Niger Province, Church of Nigeria, Rev. Dr,
Christian Efobi, Catholic Archbishop of Awka, Dr. Paulinus Ezeokafor, Anglican
Bishop of Awka diocese, Dr. Alexander Ibezim, Bishop Johnson Ekwe of Niger
West, Anglican Communion, Bishop Sam Ezeofor of Ogbaru diocese.
Addressing the
protesters later, Apostle Okpala, assured them that the present leadership of
the Federal Government has listening ear and would definitely respond to their
request
He lamented that
some people living around Ekwulobia prisons have started relocating, while
those remaining are living in palpable fear.
He however, urged
the people of the state to remain calm and not to panic, rather they should
engage in ceaseless prayer to God to intervene in this matter by restoring
peace and tranquillity in the entire country.
The protesters
carried placards with inscription, “we do not want Boko Haram in our state”, Please, Buhari remove Boko
Haram for us”,don;t infect Anambra with Boko Haram, why are you putting tension
in Anambra State, they should be kept in the North, back to sender among
others.
