S’East govs want B’Haram suspects relocated to Abuja

FOUR out of the five South-East governors yesterday rose from a meeting at the Ndubuisi Kanu Executive Council Chamber at Government House, Owerri, capital of Imo State, with a passionate plea for relocation of the Boko Haram suspects who were moved to Ekwulobia, Anambra State, to Abuja.

Governors Rochas Okorocha (Imo), Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi (Enugu) and Okezie Ikpeazu (Abia) were present, while Ebonyi State governor, Dave Umahi, was represented by his deputy, Dr. Kelechi Igwe. Chief Willie Obiano was not present, and he did not send any representative.

Okorocha, who briefed journalists after the closed-door meeting and did not give reasons for Obiano’s absence, told journalists that the governors’ forum under the aegis of South-East Governors’ Forum (SGF), was being reinvigorated to have formidable front, adding that the headquarters had been decided to be located in zonal structure in Enugu with a befitting edifice to be built as centre.

He said the feelings of the people of the South-East was not good that the Boko Haram suspects were moved from the North-East to Anambra where there was no history of such criminal magnitude.

He said: “If there is a better place to put Boko Haram, it is in Abuja where there is better security.”
On the issue of criminality, such as kidnappings, cultism, baby factory, among others, Okorocha said the forum resolved to fight it with vigour, adding that the welfare of the South-East masses was uppermost in the minds of the governors.