Markets across Anambra State have been shut down as traders in their hundreds pour into the streets and highways to protest rumours of the relocation of Boko Haram prisoners to Ekwulobia Prison in Aguata Local Government Area.
The traders said their lives and existence were being threatened if the rumour was anything to go by.
According to the President General of Anambra State Amalgamated Market Traders Association, Mr Okwudili Ezenwankwo, the relocation is ‘unacceptable’ to them.
He appealed to the Federal Government to quash the decision to send down the insurgents under trial to Anambra State or any state of the Southeast, stressing that the people want to continue to enjoy the peace and serenity of the state.
At Tarzan junction, traders went wild with strong, expressing their dissatisfaction over the story and said it would be resisted to the last, as there were no maximum prisons to secure the insurgents if they were relocated as they heard.
The chairman of Idemili Market Traders Amalgamated Association, Chuma Eruchalu, rejected the move and also maintain that the traders would not stop until the relocation idea was dropped completely.
At the Bridge Head axis of Onitsha, the traders from Uga junction mounted road block and shouted to any ear that would listen that no Boko Haram prisoner should be relocated to Anambra or the south-east.
Ekwulobia was not left out, as the clamour that rent the air was rejection of Boko Haram prisoners to their territory.
Ekwulobia prison, situated in the very interior of the community, was serene and calm at the time of visit and there was no sign of any arrival of prisoners.
Though reporters were not allowed entry, one thing that was noticeable was the unkempt vicinity which calls for serious attention to be paid to the inmates no matter where they are from.