Gunmen Sack Imo Police Headquarters after Massacre in Ebonyi …Osinbajo Shocked

Matilda Omonaiye/

Owerri correctional facility and Imo State police headquarters were today sacked by bandits who freed several inmates, as Vice President Yemi Osibajo was sympathising with the families of the victims of a massacre in Ebonyi.

Days earlier, about 15 people were reportedly killed when suspected herdsmen attacked four villages in Ebonyi, before those who were butchered in Ededege and Effium communities in the state.

During the sympathy visit to Ebonyi, Osinbajo said, “I cannot imagine the heartache and pain of the families that lost loved ones in the attacks that took place in the Ededege and Effium communities of Ebonyi State a few days ago.

“At the direction of President Buhari, I visited Ededege in Isielu LGA and and Effium in Ohaukwu LGA in Ebonyi State today first to commiserate with the families and secondly to engage with leaders of the communities on some pertinent issues.

“We are confronting these acts of violence with a better model of cooperation and integration. We are in conversation with the GOC about securing the communities as well as strengthening relationships with the local community so they share more information with law enforcement.”

According to reports from Imo, gunmen struck the prison and police department shortly after midnight in an operation that lasted almost two hours, freeing an unconfirmed number of inmates and suspects.

Amnesty International recently reported that Owerri Correctional Centre had 2,156 inmates as against its installed capacity of 548 people.

Heavy gunfire also rang through the area, which is not far from the government house.

Pictures shared on social media showed heavy smokes billowing from the scenes of the attack.

0