The correctional facility in Owerri, Imo State Capital was on Monday attacked by armed men who also freed1, 844 prisoners, as well as launching attack on a police facility in the area.
Penpushing reports that, the attackers allegedly used guns and dynamites to carry out the operations, while sources said the armed men are suspected to be members of the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) and its security arm, ESN.
The police, it is recalled have blamed recent attacks on police facilities and personnel in the South-South and South-East on Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) members with some suspects already arrested.
Penpushing further reports that, the Public Relations Officer of the correctional centre, Francis Enobore in a statement on the attack did not indicate that the attack was carried out by Indigenous People of Biafra(IPOB) ,but claimed it was by ”unknown gunmen.”
“The Owerri Custodial Centre in Imo State has been attacked by unknown gunmen and forcefully released a total of 1,844 inmates in custody. The attackers who stormed the facility at about 0215hrs on Monday 5th April, 2021, gained entrance into the yard by using explosives to blast the administrative block. 6 inmates have so far voluntarily returned to the facility while 35 inmates refused to escape from custody during the attack, the statement reads”
They were said to have arrived the centre in their large number in several Hilux pick-up vans and Sienna Buses armed with sophisticated weapons and immediately engaged the security personnel on duty in a fierce gun battle.They eventually detonated the explosive to gain entrance’.
Penpushing also reports that, following the ugly development, Acting Controller-General of Corrections, John Mrabure has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident, while the centre and other security organizations, have commenced a search and recover operations to recapture the fleeing inmates.
While appealing to the good citizens of Imo State and indeed Nigerians to volunteer useful intelligence that will facilitate the recovery effort,
The Controller-General appealed to citizens to come out with voluntary and useful to facilitate the recovery effort, stressing that the security of custodial centres in the country remains sacrosanct.
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