35 inmates have refused to flee during the Owerri correctional centre attack which led to the escape of over 1,844 inmates in custody, while six inmates voluntarily returned to the facility.
This was disclosed in a statement made available to Newsmen by the Service Public Relations Officer (SPRO), Mr Francis Enobore, on Tuesday, April 6, 2021, in Abuja.
Recall that ye to be identified gunmen stormed the Imo correctional centre at the early hours Monday, April 5, 2021, and gained entrance into the premises by using explosives to break into the administrative block.
They were said to have arrived in large numbers at the centre in several Hilux Pick-Up vans and Sienna buses, armed with sophisticated weapons, and engaged the security forces on duty in a fierce gun battle before gaining access to the facility.
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According to Enobore, the Acting Controller-General of the Nigeria Correctional Service (NCoS), John Mrabure has ordered a thorough investigation into the incident that to recover the inmates.
He also stated that the task, which will be carried out in cooperation with other security agencies, has begun with a Search and Recover Operation to apprehend the running inmates.
Mrabure in the statement urged Imo residents, as well as Nigerians, to volunteer valuable information that would aid in the recapture of the fleeing inmates.
He, however, noted that the security of detention facilities all over the country was unaffected.
He also instructed all officers assigned to custodial facilities to remain vigilant during this challenging time of the NCoS.
