Governor of Anambra state, Willie Obiano, on Thursday, said the transfer of Boko Haram prisoners to Ekwulobia prisons in Aguata Local Government Area of Anambra State, was decided in 2012 under the administration of former President, Goodluck Jonathan.

The governor spoke through his Senior Special adviser on Political Matters, Chinedu Obidigwe, stating that the decision was taken during a seminar organized for officers and men of the Nigeria Prison Service.

According to the governor, Ekwulobia and Kuje prisons in Anambra and Abuja, were chosen as prisons for the Boko Haram inmates.

He said the transfer of Boko Haram suspects would have been carried out immediately, if not for the fact that the move would affect the second term ambition of Jonathan in the South East geo-political zone ahead of the 2015 general elections.

He said:

“In as much as the state government would not want to join issues with such section of the public, it is important to note that the policy of transferring Boko Haram inmates to Anambra State had been made since 2012 under the regimes of President Goodluck Jonathan and Mr. Peter Obi, but for the 2015 general elections which the then President was contesting for a second term.

Since the transfer of the 47 inmates, panic had gripped the people of Ekwulobia as residents in the area were apprehensive of an imminent attack by members of the Boko Haram Islamic sect.”

Kolapo Olapoju