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CAN Urges FG To Relocate Boko Haram Inmates in Anambra


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.
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