Security Operatives Begin Search For Fleeing Owerri Inmates

Posted by Nwa Diokpa Crime Watch, Featured, Latest Headlines, News Across Nigeria, News From The State Monday, April 5th, 2021

(AFRICAN EXAMINER) – Security agencies have started a massive man hunt for 1,884 inmates of Owerri Custodial Centre, Imo State, who escaped when the facility was attacked by gunmen on Monday morning.

Six escaped inmates willingly returned to the facility and 35 others did not escape during the attack.

The attackers invaded the facility at about 02.15am, as they used explosives to gain entrance on the administrative block.

According to available information, the attackers arrived at the centre in their large numbers in several Hilux pick-up vans and Sienna buses armed with sophisticated weapons and immediately launched an attack on the security personnel on duty.

The spokesman, NCOS, Francis Enobore, in a statement disclosed that the acting Controller-General of Corrections, John Mrabure, has directed a comprehensive investigation concerning the incident and in conjunction with other security organizations, started a search and recovery operations to get back the fleeing inmates.

“While appealing to the good citizens of Imo State and indeed Nigerians to volunteer useful intelligence that will facilitate the recovery effort, the acting Controller-General wishes to assure that the security of custodial centres in the country remains sacrosanct.

“He equally directed all officers attached to custodial facilities to remain vigilant at this trying moment in our history,” the statement noted.