Showdown in Anambra over Boko Haram "detainees"

www.odogwublog.com reports that commercial activities in Anambra state were on Saturday paralyzed
following protests by traders across the state.
The traders who closed their shops as early as 9am in major cities of : Onitsha , Awka, Nnewi, Ekwulobia and Agulu took to the streets protesting what they called plans by the Federal government to transfer Boko Haram detainees to prisons in Anambra state.
At Tarzan junction, Nkpor in Idemili North Local Government Area of the State, traders and other citizens blocked the Enugu – Onitsha Express way chanting anti-Federal Government songs, saying that they would be forced to revive the clamour for Biafran Republic if pushed to the wall.
The traders carried placards some of which read, “Buhari should not destroy the Peace in Anambra State,” “Biafra Kanyi choro” (We want Biafra,” “Buhari, Igbos cannot accept Your Prisoners,” “We Don’t Want Boko Haram in Anambra,’ “Federal Government, Why Exte nd Boko Haram to Anambra,” “Boko Haram Prisoners Are Not Allowed Here.”

Speaking with newsmen amidst chant of solidarity for Igbo cause and Anti-Boko Haram insurgency, the Secretary-General of Anambra State Amalgamated Traders Association, Chief Chuma Elucharu stated that traders in the state decided to close markets to protest the rumoured relocation of Boko Haram detainees to the State..
Eluchraru said it would be a continous process until they would be reassured by the Federal Government that there were no such plans.
At Onitsha, the demonstrators threatened fire and brimstone should the Federal Government try to relocate the detainees to Anambra state.
. Tension built up and in an apparent move to check the face-off from snowballing into violent demonstration, police fired tear gas canisters to disperse the protesters.
Addressing the traders, the President-General of AMATAAS, Chief Okwudili Ezenwankwo, sued for calm saying that further consultation would be made to get clearer picture of the rumoured relocation.
He said the leadership of the traders was in touch with the state government on the matter.
The Police Public Relations Officer in the state, Mr. Uche Eze said there was no need to panic , saying the police were on top of the situation.
Eze enjoined the people of the state to go about their normal business , but however warned against acting on the impulse of rumour.
A senior Prisons officer in the state , however, confided in our correspondent that they got a signal recently to make preparations to received some Boko Haram detainees in their cells.
Tony Okafor