By Pascal Ibe

Claim

X users claimed that Owerri prison was attached on Wednesday

Verdict

This is False.
Although, gunmen suspected to be members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra, IPOB shot sporadically along Okigwe road on Wednesday which is very close to the prison, but the miscreants didn’t at any time open fire directly at the correctional center.

Full Text

Since Monday, Owerri and it’s environs in Imo State, have been a no go area as residents now live in fear over what can be termed “terror activities“, carried out by suspected IPOB members.

The incidents have so far recorded over eight deaths and destruction of vehicles and trucks in the Owerri metropolis.

Four policemen and civilian died on Monday at Irete, a community very close to Owerri town. On Tuesday, the hoodlums launched attacks at Orji, Owerri North, leaving at least three dead.

On Wednesday, shootings at many places in the Owerri metropolis forced businesses and official activities to a standstill.

On Wednesday evening, video clips see circulated on X and claimed the gunmen attached Owerri prison.

In Apri 2021, hundreds of prisoners escaped from Owerri prison after gunmen bombed the facility.

Aina Dipo, Fortunate Ayoade, Nononsense, etc, were among the X users that posted various videos of shootings by gunmen and claimed Owerri prison was attached.

Verification

Although, in the videos, the hoodlums were seen shooting along Okigwe road which is close to Owerri prison, but they never opened fire directly at the facility.

Sources in Owerri confirmed no sort of attack on Owerri prison.

In a statement by the police spokesperson in Imo State, Henry Okoye debunked this claim.

He said, “the Imo State Police Command used this statement in response to a publication making the rounds on social media that the Correctional Service Custodial Center, Owerri was attacked by gunmen in Wednesday.

“The Command wishes to state clearly that the said publication is entirely false, misleading, and malicious. The publication is a calculated attempt by mischief makers to create unnecessary fear and anxiety in the minds of the people of Imo State.

“We wish to inform Imo people that the operatives of the entire security agencies have been massively deployed to all the nooks and crannies of the state including the correctional center to evade any threat of attack.

Conclusion

Claim of attack on Owerri correctional center is FALSE.