Owerri Prison Break, Hundreds Freed

Gunmen on Monday attacked the Owerri Correctional Prison and the Imo State Police Command headquarters in Owerri in the Imo State capital, freeing hundreds of inmates.

Reports say more than 1500 inmates were freed in the attacks that happened between 1am and 3am on Easter Monday. Thousands of inmates who were freed by hoodlums from the Owerri correctional facility roamed the streets of Owerri.

Several bags of different sizes including clothes of both gender were seen by road sides, at the front of the correctional centre.

Other street luggage of the fleeing inmates was visibly seen in front of Imo government house. Some eyewitnesses suggest the prisoners may have abandoned their belongings out of fear of being easily identified and apprehended. 

Perpetrators are suspected to be members of the Eastern Security Network (ESN) who have had altercations with Nigerian security agents lately. They sustained their attacks unchallenged for the hours of rapid gunfire from high-calibre weapons.

The gunmen displaced security officers at checkpoint, set their operational vehicles ablaze at Ukwu Orji, along Anambra Owerri express way, before proceeding to Owerri Correctional Prison and State CID where they set the prisoners free.