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By Ikechukwu Iweajunwa/Victor Nwachukwu
Owerri, April 5, 2021
Some gunmen on Monday attacked Police command headquarters in Imo and the correctional centre in Owerri with explosives.
The gunmen were said to have operated with no fewer than 10 vehicles at about 2 a.m. on Monday, setting free some inmates.
A source who wanted anonymity further told the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) that no fewer than 150 suspects were released from the command.
It was also gathered that no fewer than 1, 500 inmates of the correctional centre were freed in the attack.
NAN reports that as at 9 a.m on Monday, military men and other security operatives barricaded Okigwe road where both the police command and the correctional center are situated.
A NAN reporter who was around the area at the filling of this report, observed that smoke was still coming out from the premises of the police command and the correctional centre as a result of the explosives
A security guard attached to Imo Government House, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the gunmen struck with dynamite.
“The military men that were contacted to save the situation were overpowered.
“They also burnt some vehicles parked at the entrance of the command headquarters,” he said.
The gunmen were also said to have danced and sung solidarity songs for more than 30 minutes before attacking the facilities.
When contacted, Police Public Relations Officer Orlando Ikeokwu, confirmed the attack
He, however, assured the people of the state that the security agencies were on top of the matter.
According to him, only the State Criminal Investigation Department of the command headquarters was attacked.
He also confirmed that some vehicles were set ablaze by the gun men.
NAN reports that security agents had on Monday morning taken charge of the major streets in the state capital.
The incident had created palpable fear on the minds of residents who are afraid to go about their businesses.
Meanwhile, the Imo command of the Nigerian Correctional Service has confirmed the attack on its facility in Owerri.
The Public Relations Officer of the service in the state, Mr James Madugba, confirmed the incident in Owerri on Monday.
Madugba who said that the event occurred at about 2.00 a.m Monday, also said that many inmates escaped.
He said some operational vehicles of the service were burnt.
He added that the service had yet to confirm the number of escaped inmates and damaged vehicles.
“We can confirm that the facility was attacked at about 2.00 a.m. Monday with operational vehicles burnt and many inmates at large.
“We have yet to confirm definite figures but we’ll make them public as soon as possible “, he said.
He, however, called on residents of the state to go about their businesses, as according to him, the situation is under control
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