Gunmen attack Owerri Police Hq, correctional facility

At least one person has been killed after gunmen attacked a prison in Owerri, the Imo state capital.

According to a BBC reporter, the attack happened around midnight and it is not yet clear if prisoners escaped.

One inmate was shot dead while trying to escape and about 30 vehicles inside a police headquarters opposite the Imo government house, were burnt.

Gunmen attack Owerri prison

The identity of the assailants has not yet been confirmed.

This is not the first time hoodlums will attack prison officials and their facility in Imo state. The Federal Prisons now Nigeria Correctional Centre, Owerri which was originally built to accommodate 548 inmates now houses over 1,700 inmates.

Gunmen attack Owerri police Headquarters and prison

About 30 vehicles in the Police headquarters opposite the Government house, were burnt

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In 2016, one Henry Chibueze also known as Vampire escaped from the Imo High court premises following a shootout between gunmen and security operatives. However, Vampire was later killed in a sting operation in 2017.

Armed gunmen still plague Imo state till date with several attacks on police officers in different parts of the state.

The spokesman of Nigeria Correctional Centre, Imo state, Mr. James Madugba has confirmed the incident but could not confirm if the inmates escaped or not.

According to him: “We cannot say exactly what happened, but we would address the media once we get more information.