Gov. Willie Obiano of Anambra state on Thursday held closed door meeting with Federal Government delegation on transfer of 47 Boko Haram suspects to Ekwulobia Prisons.

Obiano told newsmen after the meeting with the seven-man team from the National Security Adviser’s office that their deliberations on the issue were highly successful.

Obiano: pleads for calm over movement of Boko Haram prisoners

He said the Presidency was fully aware of the strong feelings of Anambra people against the presence of the “high risk’’ suspects.

He expressed optimism that the matter would be resolved shortly and reassured the people that the dreaded suspects would soon be moved out of the state.

The governor urged the people to maintain the peace and desist from anything that might lead to disruption of the harmonious atmosphere that the state enjoyed in the past one year.

Obiano said “the matter will soon be over. Since the news of the transfer of the deadly suspects to Ekwulobia, I have been relentless in my efforts to engage all relevant authorities in Abuja.

“I, therefore, want to appeal to Anambra people to desist from anything that might lead to breach of the peace in the state.’’

The meeting was attended by the Obi of Onitsha, Igwe Nnemeka Achebe and Igwe Cyril Enweze of Umuoji.

Others are the Catholic Bishop of Awka, Most Rev. Paulinus Okafor and the Anglican Bishop of Awka, Rev. Alexander Ibezim.

There had been agitations by the people since the announcement of transfer of Boko Haram suspects to the state, with widespread protests against the transfer.