Gunmen bomb Owerri Correctional Centre, free inmates, attack SSS office

A correctional facility and police investigations department in Owerri, the Imo State capital were reportedly set ablaze by unknown gunmen early Monday morning and about 1500 inmates were said to have been set free.

According to multiple reports, the attackers struck the prison and police department shortly after midnight. They were said to be shouting “You have no reason to be here. Go home, Jesus has risen, go home”.

According to social media accounts what started as a mere shoot-out later resulted in a complete breakdown of law and order with people scampering for safety.

A Twitter user, Chidi Odinkalu in a tweet said “Reports of overwhelming attack on security & law enforcement establishments in Owerri, Imo State, SE Nigeria. State CID, Prisons. Perpetrators unclear but seem to have gone unchallenged for over 75 mins with discharge of high-calibre weapons. Possible detonations too.”

This development 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.

Owerri residents and commuters who ply the Okigwe road are apprehensive as the situation is said to be tense.