On Monday, 5th April, 2021, a total of 1,844 prisoners were freed when gunmen attacked a correctional facility in Owerri, an official has said.
Francis Enobore, the spokesperson of the correctional centre confirmed the attack stating that it was carried out by unknown Gunmen. According to him, a total of 1,844 inmates in custody were unlawfully released in the cause of the attack.
Enobore further explained that the attackers stormed the facility at about 09:05pm in their large numbers with 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 and afterwards gained entrance into the yard by using explosives to blast the administrative block.
He said that 6 inmates have so far voluntarily returned to the facility while 35 inmates refused to escape from custody during the attack.
The Acting Controller-General of Corrections, John Mrabure has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident and in collaboration with other security organizations, commenced a search and recovery 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 reassured that the security of custodial centres in the country remains sacrosanct.
He equally directed all officers attached to custodial facilities to remain vigilant at this trying moment in our history.
