Many Prisoners Escape As Gunmen Set Owerri Prison On Fire

Gunmen in the early hours of Monday set the correctional facility in Owerri, the  Imo State capital, on fire.

Gisttube9ja Reporters gathered that the gunmen struck the prison and freed an unconfirmed number of inmates and suspects. Heavy gunfire also rang through the area.

Amnesty International said over the weekend that Owerri Correctional Centre had 2,156 inmates against its installed capacity of 548 people.

Pictures shared on the micro-blogging site Twitter showed heavy smokes and fire.

Something involving significant firearms is happening in Owerri, Imo State right now.... It's somewhere between govt House, Rockview & Prisons....??? pic.twitter.com/9FS2PCA1oy

— Chidi Odinkalu (@ChidiOdinkalu) April 5, 2021

More than 3,000 inmates escapes during the reported prison break in Owerri, Imo state as the state's CID is set ablaze.

pic.twitter.com/737eqTGr0G

— Tunde Ednut (@TundeEddnut) April 5, 2021