Buhari describes Imo correctional centre attack as act of terrorism
Earlier today, more than 1800 inmates were freed from the Nigerian Correctional Service in Imo state by some gunmen who attacked the facility.
The Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian Correctional Service (NCoS), Mr. James Madugba who confirmed the development said the attack happened in the morning around 2:15 am.
The gunmen gained entrance into the yard by using explosives to blast the administrative block.
They were reported to have invaded the correctional 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 after which they eventually detonated the explosives to gain entrance.
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The hoodlums also attacked the Imo State Police command headquarters during which they razed vehicles parked on the premises and freed another 600 suspects in custody in the cell of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID).
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Reacting to the Imo correctional centre attack, President Muhammadu Buhari in a statement by Garba Shehu, Senior Special Assistant on Media & Publicity condemned the attack calling it an act of terrorism.
He praised the initial response by security guards and security forces for preventing greater loss of life and the destruction of public property, directing them to fully mobilize and go after the hoodlums, apprehend them and get them punished under the full weight of the law.
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The President directed security and intelligence agencies in the state and the geo-political zone to fully mobilize and go after the terrorists, apprehend them and get them punished under the full weight of the law.
He also called for the best efforts to be made to rearrest fleeing prison detainees, many of whom are believed to be deadly criminals.
Buhari also appealed to members of the public to assist the law enforcement agencies with relevant information that could lead to the apprehension of these criminals who perpetrated the act.
He also urged members of the public to be vigilant as everyone has a stake in preventing disruptions by anarchists while promising that the Federal Government will use every available tool at its disposal to confront the criminals.