Dozens of inmates at the Owerri Correctional Centre in Imo State and suspects in custody at the Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) of the state police command, were reportedly set free in the wee hours of Monday as gunmen who were said to have operated for over two hours.
Nasiru Mohammed, the state police commissioner could not be reached for comments on the incident as of the time of filing this report, but sources said the police command headquarters, including several vehicles parked in the premises, were burnt, before doors to the cells were flung open for the suspects to escape.
Over a thousand suspects and inmates reportedly fled as the gunmen also stormed the Correctional Centre in the state capital.
The gunmen operated for about two hours early Monday, according to sources, singing solidarity songs at the Government House Roundabout for about 30 minutes before attacking the correctional facility with explosives and dynamites, telling the inmates, “Go home, Jesus has risen. You have no reason to be here.”
Ikeokwu Orlando, a Superintendent of Police, SP, and spokesperson for the Imo State police command requested for time to respond when contacted for comments. “Just give me some time please, I will get back to you, he said on telephone”.
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