The Governor of Imo State, Senator Hope Uzodinma said that gunmen tried unsuccessfully to gain entrance into the Imo State Government House in Owerri.
Uzodinma stated this on Monday while reacting to the attacks on the Imo State Police Command headquarters and Owerri Correctional Centre, where 1,844 inmates were reported freed by unknown gunmen.
The governor had convened a State Security Council meeting in the wake of the early Monday morning attack.
He later disclosed that out of the 1,844 inmates freed, an appreciable number had been re-arrested while more others had returned voluntarily.
Uzodinma said, “It has been an eventful day today being Easter Monday in Imo as yet to be ascertained gunmen attacked the correctional service centre, setting some facilities ablaze and releasing some inmates.
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“The gunmen were at the police headquarters where they destroyed 38 vehicles and also set the facilities ablaze.
“Efforts by the gunmen to penetrate into the Imo State Government House were not successful as they ended up shooting sporadically at the entrance gate.”
He added that his administration had set up a panel of inquiry into the incidents.
Uzodinma said that the perpetrators would be identified and apprehended.
The governor assured residents of the state of their safety, assuring that security agencies will be more proactive to forestall a reoccurrence.