Market men and women in Onitsha, the commercial hub of Anambra State, took to the streets, Sunday, to protest the planned transfer of Boko Haram prisoners to the state as they called on the Federal government to drop the arrangement.
At Tarzan Junction in Nkpor, the traders displayed placards which read “Traders say no to your prisoners”, “Boko haram prisoners are not allowed here”, “Federal government sending Boko Haram to South East is a disaster”, “We say No to Buhari, we say no to intimidation”, “BUhari, Igbos cannot accept your prisoners”, and others.
Addressing journalists, the Secretary-General of Anambra Traders Amalgamated Union insisted that the plan was ill-conceived and would not be welcomed.
He, therefore, called on the Federal government to reverse the decision.
Protesters were also seen at the Head Bridge, upper iweka, Onitsha with placards saying: “Chief Obiano, save our soul from Boko Haram”, “Is this the wharf in Onitsha?” amongst others.
President-General, Anambra Amalgamated Traders Association, Chief Dr. Okkwudili Ezenwankwo also said that people that commit offence should be subjected to punishment in the zone where they committed the offence.
“Buhari is a good man and we are not against him. Any attempt to bring Boko Haram prisoners here will be resisted,” he said.
The president, however, called on traders to go about their normal business, saying there was no cause for alarm.
Police later arrived and dispersed the protesters and opened the blocked road.
