Unidentified gunmen reportedly attacked a correctional facility in Owerri, the Imo State capital, and freed inmates.
The Imo State Police Command headquarters and SCID building situated in the state capital were also attacked in the early morning raid, which a security source said started around 1 am.
Although the police said “some inmates” were freed, a media report claimed as much as 1, 500 inmates escaped.
“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,” a security memo said.
“The hoodlums also attacked the Police State Headquarters Owerri 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.”
