…IGP Despatches Special Squad

…IPOB Denies Responsibility

… They Use Explosives – Police

… Osinbajo Visits Ebonyi, Warns Against Reprisals

By Martin Paul and Gom Marian, Abuja

Tension has heightened in Owerri the Imo state capital with the escape of 1,844 inmates into the communities and the deployment of hundreds of special squad policemen to quell the attacks on security formations by hoodlums.

The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS) confirmed an attack on it custodial centre in Owerri in Imo state by unknown gunmen leading to escape of 1,844 inmates while 35 inmates refused to escape.

In a statement made available to newsmen in Abuja, the Service spokesman, Francis Enobore, said “the attackers stormed the facility at about 0215hrs on Monday April 5, 2021, gained entrance into the yard by using explosives to blast the administrative block.

“The Owerri Custodial Centre in Imo State has been attacked by unknown gunmen and forcefully released a total of 1,844 inmates in custody.

“They were said to have arrived the centre in their large number 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. They eventually detonated the explosive to gain entrance.

“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. 

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

The statement said the NCoS has equally directed all officers attached to custodial facilities to remain vigilant at the moment.

“As at the last count, six inmates have so far voluntarily returned to the facility while 35 refused to escape from custody during the attack.”

IGP Despatches Special Squad

In a swift reaction, the Inspector General of Police (IGP) Mohammed  Adamu set up a Special Investigation Team (SIT) to fish-out and bring the perpetrators to book in the melee where the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/Eastern Security Network (ESN)have been fingered.

But the group, also in a statement, distanced itself from the attacks on Police and Correctional Service headquarters in Imo state.

IGP, who said the Police Tactical Squads was despatched to Imo “to strengthen security in the State and prevent further attacks on security formations or any other critical national infrastructure in the State”, said the attacks were focus on “security operatives and formations including the Imo State Police Command Headquarters and the Headquarters of the Nigerian Correctional Services (NCS) in Owerri in the early hours of today, Monday, 5th April, 2021.

 “Preliminary investigations have revealed that the attackers, who came in their numbers with sophisticated weapons such as General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), Sub-Machine Guns (SMGs), AK49 rifles, Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), are members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/Eastern Security Network (ESN).

“The attempt by the attackers to gain access to the Police armoury at the Headquarters was totally and appropriately resisted by Police operatives on duty who repelled the attackers and prevented them from breaking-in and looting the armoury.

The armoury is thus intact! Similarly, the police suffered no human casualty, apart from a police Constable who sustained a minor bullet wound on his shoulder”, the IGP said in a statement signed by  Force Public Relations Officer, CP Frank Mba.

Meanwhile, one of the operational vehicles of the attackers has been recovered by the Police and is currently being subjected to forensic scrutiny and investigations. 

The IGP, who described the deliberate and criminal attack on security operatives as an attack on the soul of our nation, enjoined leaders in Imo State, the South-East and other parts of the country to speak out against the unfolding violence and criminality.

He vowed that the perpetrators will be brought to book, noting that the Force was doing all within its powers to curb the activities of unscrupulous elements hell-bent on threatening the unity, safety, security and socio-economic wellbeing of Nigerians.

IPOB Denies Responsibility

However, the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has denied involvement in the attacks,

In a statement, Media and Publicity Secretary of the group, Emma Powerful, said in Owerri yesterday that IPOB was formed on the principle of peace and would not compromise its principles and would also not attack government’s facilities.

“The attention of IPOB has been drawn to the fallacious and fabricated reports that it is involved in the attack of prison and police headquarters in Imo.

“IPOB and Eastern Security Network (ESN) are known groups, not unknown gunmen. ESN is in the bush chasing terrorists and have no business with the said attacks.

“We were not involved in the attack in Owerri and the recent attack on Onitsha-Owerri road at Ukwuorji junction.

“It is not our mandate to attack security personnel or prison facilities,’’ the statement added.

Hundreds of inmates were set free from the Correctional Centre, while many vehicles were burnt in the process just as the military were immediately drafted to secure the Government House in Owerri.

They Use Explosives – Police

A Police officer attached to the Imo state Police Command, who would not want his mentioned, said the attackers use explosives to destroy the formation.

 “They were over two hundred boys, with their cars singing a song of victory and when they reach the gate of our police headquarters they threw dynamite at us and the thing exploded and the vehicles caught fire, especially the vehicles park.

“I jumped over the fence because they are many. When they started shooting bullets it got one of my colleagues in his hand and he fell”, he said.

Osinbajo Visits Ebonyi, Warns Against Reprisals

Vice President Yemi Osinbajo has assured that the Federal Government will do everything to ensure that security is beefed up in communities affected by recent communal clashes and violent attacks in Ebonyi State.

He assured that there must be justice for victims.

He condemned the attacks, and sympathized with the victims, describing such acts as cowardly, wicked and “very deeply distressing.”

Prof. Osinbajo stated this on Easter Sunday afternoon during a visit to Ebonyi State after attending Resurrection Sunday service at the Aso Villa Chapel.

At the State, the Vice President stopped at the Egedegede community in Ishielu Local Government Area, which suffered herdsmen attacks recently and Ezza/Effium communities in Ohaukwu Local Government Area where communal clashes had occurred.

Announcing at each stop that he is visiting at the direction of the President, the VP later held an interactive session with stakeholders at the State capital before returning to Abuja late last night.

The Vice President was accompanied on the visit to the affected areas by the Ebonyi State Governor, Engr. David Umahi, who received him at his first stop at Ishielu LGA.

He had earlier been welcomed by the Enugu State Governor, Rt. Hon. Ifeanyi Ugwuanyi, at the Akanu Ibiam International Airport in Enugu from where he drove to Ebonyi State.

On the VP’s delegation were the Information and Culture Minister Alhaji Lai Mohammed, Steel & Mines Development Minister of State Mr. Uche Ogah and the Special Adviser on Political Affairs to the President, Senator Babafemi Ojudu, among other dignitaries.

According to the Vice President, “there is no way we can, by saying sorry, fully compensate for the lives that have been lost and property destroyed. I want you to know that one way we can do something is by seeking justice and providing for the families of those who have lost their homes and we would do so.”

He added that government will ensure justice is done and the perpetrators brought to book, while urging the people of the communities to remain calm and avoid reprisal attacks.

The Vice President said: “let me assure you that we will seek justice on behalf of those who have died not just because they are Nigerians, but because they are human beings and they deserve justice.

“Anybody who watches another person killed next to him and does not feel angry and pained, and doesn’t feel the person deserves justice must answer to God ultimately. So, don’t be under any illusion, we will make sure so long as it lies within our power, that we will seek justice and get justice.

“Which is why I will urge you as you have done, and you have done the right thing in my view, you have peacefully presented the case, you have very peacefully conducted yourselves, reported to the authorities and sought the right support from the government.

“It is up to the government to provide the best that they can. But we must be careful also not to seek revenge because we don’t know where it will end.”

Assuring the people of improved security in the affected areas, the Vice President stated that government will beef up the security in the communities to forestall a reoccurrence.

“We are in conversation with the GOC and the Army, about ensuring that there is more security provided here. I know that the GOC has already made more provisions but obviously, there is a need for even greater security provided here,” he said.