Tension in Imo As Hoodlums Bomb Prison, Set Inmates Free

By Izunna Okafor

Tension enveloped Imo State on Easter Monday morning, as unidentified hoodlums allegedly invaded and bombed the Imo State correctional centres, thereby setting hundreds of inmates free.

One could safely argue that the hoodlums took advantage of the calm atmosphere of Easter to invade the centre at the wee hours of Monday.

The incident came after the State Commissioner of Police, Nasiru Mohammed said that he had deployed over 4760 personnel to ensure maximum security during and after the Easter celebration.

It was gathered that there was sporadic shooting during the invasion, which lasted for three hours before the centre was bombed.

Recounting how it happened, an eyewitnesses who pleaded anonymity said, "It happened at about 1.am today.  Armed men suspected to be members of IPOB/ESN criminal gang in their numbers invaded Owerri Prisons. Using dynamites and other heavy explosives, they gained entrance into the prison and released some inmates, after setting everywhere on fire.

“The hoodlums also attacked the Police State Headquarters Owerri while firing consistently with AK 47 rifles and explosives. 

"They 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 operation lasted close to three(3) hours."

Although it is still uncertain, as to whether there were casualties or not, resulting from the attack.

Meanwhile, the Imo State Police Command has vowed to "fish out the perpetrators and bring them to book."