Many Inmates Freed As Gunmen Attack Owerri Prison, Police Headquarters In Imo [Video]

A correctional facility and police investigations department in Owerri, the Imo State capital, were set ablaze by unidentified gunmen early Monday morning.

It was gathered that the attackers struck the prison and police department shortly after midnight, freeing an unconfirmed number of inmates and suspects.

According to eyewitnesses, what started as mere shooting later resulted in complete breakdown of law and order with people scampering for safety.

The level of destruction and casualty figures were not immediately available, but Amnesty International said over the weekend that Owerri Correctional Centre had 2,156 inmates against its installed capacity of 548 people.

Social media posts showed heavy smokes billowing from what posters said were the scenes of the attack that lasted for more than two hours.

Below are some of the reactions, photos and videos of the incident.

 

KanyiDaily had also reported how Enugu inmates staged a protest due to bad treatment by the authorities, resulting to many injuries among the prisoners.