Among 1,844 inmates that escaped from the Owerri Correctional Center in Imo State, six of them have voluntarily returned after the incident.
This was made known in a statement on Monday by the spokesperson of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCOs), Francis Enobore.
Enobore also disclosed that during the incident at the correctional center, 35 other inmates refuse to escape from the custody.
Recall at the early hour of on Monday, how gunmen reportedly invade the Owerri Correctional Center, as well as the State Police Command Headquarters, and free hundreds of prisoners in the process.
Enobore, who confirmed the attack an hour after the incident stated that the gunmen forcefully released a total of 1,844 inmates from the custody.
According to him, the attackers stormed the facility at about 2:15 am, gained entrance into the yard by using explosives to blast the administrative block.
He said they invaded the correctional center 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 after which they eventually detonated the explosives to gain entrance.
He further stated that, during the attack, one person suspected to be a fleeing inmate was hit by a bullet while carrying his travel bag. His lifeless body was visibly seen on the ground in front of the correctional center.
He also said, while the gunmen attacked the Imo State Police Command Headquarters, they burnt almost all the vehicles parked at the command headquarters.
He maintains that they were said to be chanting solidarity songs at the Government House Roundabout for about 30 minutes before the attacks on the correctional service and police facilities.
The Acting Controller-General of Corrections, John Marbury, while condemning the incident, ordered a comprehensive investigation into the attack.
He directed the commencement of search and recovery operations, in collaboration with other security organizations, to recapture the fleeing inmates.
Marbury further directed all officers attached to custodial facilities across the country to remain vigilant at this trying moment.
He also pleaded with the residents of Imo state and others to help with useful intelligence that would facilitate the recovery effort.
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