According to Okoye, the incident happened at the farm settlement of the Correctional Service, in Umualomoke in the Okigwe area of the state.
The Imo State Police Command has alleged that suspected members of the security outfit of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and the Eastern Security Network (ESN) were responsible for the fatal attack at the Okigwe Correctional Service during which they freed seven inmates.
A statement on Monday by the Command's spokesperson, Henry Okoye, claimed that the hoodlums also killed a police inspector and abducted another officer.
According to Okoye, the incident happened at the farm settlement of the Correctional Service, in Umualomoke in the Okigwe area of the state.
However, the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, who visited the scene of the incident has “deployed the Command’s Special Tactical Squad and equipped them with the available resources to go all out in synergy with the Military other sister security agencies and hunt down suspected IPOB/ESN disgruntled elements.”
On the aftermath of the attack, the police said: “The Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, has deployed the Command’s Special Tactical Squad and equipped them with the available resources to go all out in synergy with the military and other sister security agencies and hunt down suspected IPOB/ESN disgruntled elements, allegedly 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.
“The CP made this known during his visit to Okigwe for on-the-spot assessment of the ugly incidents wherein he mandated the special tactical squad operatives to intensify efforts in ensuring that the officer in charge of the farm settlement is rescued unhurt and the fleeing inmates arrested and made to face the full wrath of the law.
“While calling on the general public who may have any useful information that will assist the operatives in arresting the hoodlums responsible for the attacks to kindly report at the nearest Police Station or via 08034773600, CP Danjuma encourages the good people of Imo State to go about their lawful business without any form of fear as the Command is on top of the situation and have emplaced adequate security measures to forestall future occurrence.
“The Commissioner of Police reaffirms the Command’s unwavering commitment to ensuring that the State is adequately protected. He vowed that the hoodlums responsible for the attacks would be arrested and brought to book."