Buhari says Imo attack an act of terrorism

President Muhammadu Buhari has condemned the attack on the Imo State police command headquarters and correctional facility in Owerri, describing it as an act of terrorism.

A statement by his Senior Special Assistant on Media and Publicity, Garba Shehu, quoted Buhari as having directed security agencies to go after the perpetrators.

Over 2,000 inmates were freed in the early hours of Monday as gunmen attacked a correctional facility in the state.

The police command in Owerri was also attacked with some vehicles razed in the incident.

Buhari asked security and intelligence agencies to clamp down on terrorists in the state, adding that freed inmates should be rearrested.

Garba said, “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,” the statement reads.

“He also called for the best efforts to be made to rearrest fleeing prison detainees, many of whom are believed to be deadly criminals.

“President Buhari then appealed to members of the public to assist the law enforcement agencies with any relevant information that could lead to the apprehension of these criminals who perpetrated this despicable act.

“He also urged members of the public to be vigilant as all of us have a stake in preserving our way of life from disruption by terrorists and anarchists while the Federal Government will use every available tool at its disposal to confront and terminate this bare-faced anarchy.”