Imo Jailbreak: Six inmates return voluntarily as police begin manhunt for 1,884 others

Six of the inmates who fled the Owerri Correctional Center following a Jailbreak in Imo State on Monday have reportedly returned to the facility.

WuzupNigeria had reported that about 2000 inmates escaped after an attack on the facility by unknown gunmen who used explosives on the administrative block.

In an attempt to apprehend other escaped inmates, security agencies have launched a massive hunt for 1,884 other inmates who are still at large.

Reports revealed that 35 other prisoners stayed back and did not escape during the attack.

The PUNCH reports that the gunmen reportedly stormed the facility in their large numbers in several Hilux pick-up vans and Sienna buses armed with sophisticated weapons and immediately engaged the security personnel on duty in a fierce gun battle.

The spokesman, NCoS, Francis Enobore, disclosed in a statement that the acting Controller-General of Corrections, John Mrabure, has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident and in collaboration with other security organizations, commenced a search and recover operations to recapture the fleeing inmates.

The statement titled, ‘Owerri custodial centre attacked by unknown gunmen,’ explained that six inmates have so far voluntarily returned to the facility while 35 inmates refused to escape from custody during the attack.

“While appealing to the good citizens of Imo State and indeed Nigerians to volunteer useful intelligence that will facilitate the recovery effort, the acting Controller-General wishes to assure that the security of custodial centres in the country remains sacrosanct.

“He equally directed all officers attached to custodial facilities to remain vigilant at this trying moment in our history,” the statement noted.