TheHILL. | METRO | April 5, 2021.
Gunmen early hours of Monday attacked a correctional facility in Owerri, the Imo State capital and freed inmates.
The Imo State Police Command headquarters and SCID building situated in the state capital was also attacked in the early morning raid, which a security source said started around 1 am.
Although the police said “some inmates” were freed, a media report claimed as much as 1, 500 inmates escaped.
“At about 0100hrs of Monday, armed men suspected to be members of IPOB/ESN criminal gang in their numbers invaded Owerri Prisons using dynamites and other heavy explosives, gained entrance and released some inmates in the prison,” a security memo published by PR Nigeria said.
“The hoodlums also attacked the Police State Headquarters Owerri while firing consistently with AK 47 rifles and explosives, released some suspects detained in the SCID cell and put fire on so many vehicles parked at the Headquarter premises including the SCID office building.”
A Source said the hoodlums were heard telling the detainees and prisoners “you’ve been released because Jesus Christ is risen from the death today”.
Meanwhile, the Correctional Facility is a stone throw away from the Imo State Government House.
