Heavily armed soldiers last night escorted at least 47 dreaded Boko Haram convicts to Anambra State and moved them straight to Ekwuobia Prison, a report from the area said.

The action was taken despite the outcry that greeted the plan, including the strong opposition of Governor Willie Obiano and protests by Anambra traders, who shut their markets over the issue on Saturday.

Ekwulobia is not a maximum security prison and there are strong fears that the presence of the terrorists might attract attacks from the Islamist terrorists who have made parts of Nigeria’s Muslim-dominated North-East virtually ungovernable since 2009.

•Photo shows Boko Haram insurgents.