Inmates freed as gunmen attack Imo prison, police command

Gunmen have reportedly attacked the federal prison and police command headquarters in Owerri, Imo state.

Some inmates in the prison were said to have been broken free by the gunmen.

The attack was said to have happened in the early hours of Monday.

There was said to have been heavy gunfire during the attack.

The number of inmates released from the facility is yet unknown.

The police command and some vehicles parked in the vicinity were set ablaze by the gunmen.

TheCable reached Ikeokwu Orlando, the police command spokesman, for comment on the incident, but he only said, ”I will get back to you”.

However, an official source said the attacks were carried out by members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) using dynamites, heavy explosives, and AK-47 rifles.

The source also said the operation lasted for close to three hours.

“At about 0100hrs of date, armed men suspected to be members of IPOB/ESN criminal gang in their numbers invaded Owerri Prisons mine using dynamites and other heavy explosives, gained entrance and released some inmates in the prison(details of the level of carnage done to the facility and the number of inmates released is yet to be confirmed),” the source said.

“The hoodlums also attacked the Police State Headquarters Owerri mine 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. The onslaught/operation lasted close to three(3) hours.”