Inmates Escape as Gunmen Attack Owerri Prison, State CID Headquarters

Matilda Omonaiye/

Owerri correctional facility and headquarters of the police criminal investigations department came under attack by unidentified gunmen in an overnight operation in the early hours of today.

According to accounts on social media, the attackers 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.