Suspected hoodlums reportedly attacked the Correctional Facility in Owerri, the Imo State capital on Monday morning and freed about 2,000 inmates. The Correctional Facilities is near the State Government House.
It was also reported that the hoodlums attacked the Imo State Police Command headquarters where over 600 suspects were freed from custody.
The police headquarters was also set ablaze and burnt down dozens of vehicles in the process.
According to sources, the attack started around 1: 30a.m and ended around 3:30am without any resistance.
It was gathered that the hoodlums converged in front of the Imo State Government House, circling the roundabout and chanting solidarity songs for about 30 minutes before setting out to attack the Police Command Headquarters.
They were said to have shot sporadically as they approach the Command headquarters and launched the attack on the State Criminal Investigative Department (CID) as well as the former SARS.
Officers on duty were said to ran away as the hoodlums released every suspect in detention.
The only unit the hoodlum did not attack was the anti-kidnapping unit located some meters away inside the police barracks at Shell Camp.
The Sources said the hoodlums were heard telling the detainees and prisoners “you’ve been released because Jesus Christ is risen from the death today”.
After releasing the detainees, it was learnt, the hoodlums also bombed the building, setting dozens of vehicles within the Police Command ablaze.
After they operated unchallenged, it was further learnt the hoodlums moved over to the Owerri Correctional Centre, which they forced open with dynamites, freeing over 2000 prisoners.
A source told The Nation: “Out of the more than 2,000 prisoners we have here, only eleven refused to run away with others.
“I want to tell you that since I was born, I have never seen nor heard these kind gunshots that I heard early this morning.
“Our happiness here is that there is no casualty. Those who have gunshot wounds are receiving treatments in the hospital.’’
Spokesmen of the Imo Police command, Orlando Ikeokwu and Owerri Correctional Centre, Mr. Madunagu, refused to answer calls.
