What gunmen suspected to be ESN men told prisoners after setting over 1500 free, burning police headquarters in Owerri
Unknown gunmen believed to be members of Eastern Security Network (ESN) on Monday night released explosives on Imo state police command and the Nigeria Correctional Centre in Owerri, the Imo state capital.
A security source told Daily Trust that the gun men after breaking into the prison facility with the aid of explosives, they told the prisoners to go home as Jesus had risen, hence they have no reason to be in the facility anymore.
They were said to have overpowered security operatives and forced their way into the facility at 1am on Monday morning. Report says they burnt all the vehicles at the police headquarters.
Soldiers and police were said to have fled in different directions as the unknown gunmen invaded the police headquarters. A security source said they sang solidarity songs before attacking the facilities
All the security men at the gate to the government house took to their heels on sighting the men. Prison warders sustained different degrees of injuries
There is presently heavy security presence in Owerri as security agents have cordoned off the major streets in the state capital.
Many residents are afraid to go out while buses entering the city are parking on the outskirts for fear of being caught up in the melee.
This is the latest assault on security operatives in violent campaign gunmen launched earlier in the year.
