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Gunmen have killed two prison officers at Umulolo in Okigwe Local Government Area of Imo State.
It was gathered the attack, which occurred at the Umulolo axis of the town in the morning, caused panic as people scampered for safety following the explosion that rocked the scene.
A security operative, who demanded anonymity, explained the prison officers were ambushed by their attackers.
The source said: “Two Hilux vans of officers of Imo Correctional Centre were on Wednesday morning attacked by gunmen at Umulolo Okigwe.
“Their attackers threw dynamites on their vehicles. Two officers were killed on the spot while others were wounded and have been rushed to the hospital.
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“It was also reported that one Hilux van was destroyed by the dynamite while the other was not affected.
“The unaffected van has been rescued and returned to base at the command’s headquarters in Owerri. The officers are attached to Operation Search and Flush established by the Imo State Government to deal with crimes in the state.
“They took off from Owerri in the morning and on reaching Okigwe, the gunmen who were laying siege ambushed them.”
Spokesperson for the Owerri Correctional Centre, Goodluck Uboegbulem, said, “we have gone on the spot assessment, and it is only when we are through that we can speak to you.”
Imo Police spokesman, CSP Michael Abattam, however confirmed that there was an attack that involved the prison officials.
“It is not the police. It is the prison officials, they were attacked today,” he told the newsmen.
Enoch Oyedibu
Neck-deep Investigative Journalist, Fact-checker and writer-I provide support for marginalised communities through strategic investigative reporting, holding power to account and airing the underrepresented communities' concerns. I firmly believe in giving voices to the underreported communities in Nigeria and Africa. This has, however, made me contribute to multiple publications and projects that exposed corruption, injustice, and human rights violations. I am passionate about journalism and its role in creating positive change in the world. I lead a group of professional investigators at the PIJAlance Magazine Research and Investigations Desk (RID). If you have a story, check 'contact us' to hit me.