Tension as Gunmen Kill Police Officer, Free 7 Inmates in Imo Prison

• Suspected IPOB/ESN operatives have killed a police officer and freed seven inmates from the Correctional Service Farm Settlements, Umualomokein Okigwe in Imo state
• The gunmen also kidnapped a correctional service officer during the attack on Monday, February 12
• The state police spokesman, Henry Okoye, said the gunmen also attacked the residence of Senator Patrick Ndubeze.

Legit.ng journalist Adekunle Dada has over 5 years of experience covering metro and government policy.

Okigwe, Imo state – Gunmen have attacked the Correctional Service Farm Settlements, Umualomokein Okigwe in Imo state, killed a police inspector and released seven inmates.

As reported by The Nation, the gunmen also kidnapped the correctional service officer in charge before attacking the residence of Senator Patrick Ndubeze on Monday, February 12.

The state police spokesman, Henry Okoye, who disclosed this in a statement blamed IPOB/ESN operatives for the attack.

The Commissioner of Police, Danjuma Aboki, who visited the scene ordered the immediate deployment of the Command’s Special Tactical Squad to hunt down the suspected IPOB/ESN operatives, Channels Television reported.

Okoye said:

“…responsible for the attacks on Correctional Service Farm Settlements, Umualomoke and the residence of Dist. Senator Patrick Ndubeze, both in Okigwe, in the early hours of 12/02/2024, which resulted in the release of seven (7) inmates, and abduction of the officer in charge of the farm settlement, and the death of a Police Inspector respectively.”

Gunmen kidnap Imo traditional ruler

Meanwhile, Legit.ng reported that the immediate past chairman of the Imo state traditional rulers’ council, His Royal Majesty, HRH Eze Samuel Agunwa Ohiri, was kidnapped by gunmen. Ohiri was reportedly kidnapped at the front gate of his compound in Orodo, Mbaitoli Council Area of Imo state, at about 8:30 am on Saturday, January 6.

According to an eyewitness, the gunmen also abducted Ohiri’s brother, a United States-based businessman.

“As they arrived at Ohiri’s compound; They packed their vehicle, at one side of the compound, and as they both of them were having the final discussion before they could say bye to each other. A highlander vehicle filled with gunmen double-crossed them and shot sporadically. They dragged both of them into the vehicle and drove away. They drove toward the Njaba to Orlu road.”

Source: Legit.ng