The Imo command of the Nigerian Correctional Service have confirmed an attack on its facility in Owerri.
Public Relations Officer of the service in Imo, Mr James Madugba, confirmed the incident to newsmen in Owerri on Monday.
Madugba who said that the event occurred at about 2.00 a.m Monday also said that many inmates escaped with some operational vehicles razed.
He added that the services had yet to confirm the numbers of escaped inmates and damaged vehicles.
“We can confirm that the facility was attacked at about 2.00 a.m. Monday with operational vehicles burnt and many inmates at large.
“We have yet to confirm definite figures but we’ll make them public as soon as possible “, he said.
He, however, called on residents of the state to go about their lawful businesses, as according to him, the situation is under control.
TNG reports some gunmen on Monday attacked the Imo Police Command Headquarters and the Correctional Centre with explosives and freed some inmates.
The gunmen were said to have operated with no fewer than 10 vehicles at about 2 a.m. on Monday overpowering the security guards at the police command.
A source who wanted anonymity said no fewer than 150 suspects were released from the command in the process.
It was also gathered that no fewer than 1, 500 inmates of the correctional centre were freed in the attack.
As at 9 a.m on Monday, military men and other security operatives barricaded Okigwe road where both the police command and the correctional center are situated.
A NAN reporter who was around the area at the filling of this report, observed that smoke was still coming out from the premises of the police command and the correctional centre as a result of the explosives
A security guard attached to Imo Government House, who spoke on condition of anonymity, said the gunmen struck their targets with a dynamite.
“The military men that were contacted to save the situation were overpowered by the heavy weapons of the men cladded in black attire.
“They also burnt some vehicles parked at the entrance of the command headquarters,” he said.
The gunmen were also said to have danced and sung solidarity songs for more than 30 minutes before attacking the facilities.
When contacted, the Police Public Relations Officer, SP Orlando Ikeokwu, confirmed the attacks.
He, however, assured the people of the state that the security agencies were on top of the matter.
According to him, only the State Criminal Investigation Department SCID session of the command headquarters are attacked by the gunmen.
He also confirmed that some vehicles were set ablaze by the gun men.
Security agents had on Monday morning condoned off the major streets in the state capital.
The incident had created palpable fear on the minds of residents who are afraid to go about their businesses.