Hoodlums burn Imo Police Divisional Headquarters, Free Suspects

Gunmen on Saturday night razed the Isiala Mbano Divisional Headquarters located at Umuelemai in Imo State.

The gunmen, who freed suspects held in the detention facility, invaded the divisional headquarters armoury and carted away arms.

Our correspondent gathered that gunmen on arrival condoned off the Divisional Headquarters located at Umueze Road and opened fire.

According to eyewitnesses, on arrival, the suspects sacked policemen on duty, freed suspects, invaded the arms storage department of the facility before setting it ablaze.

While our correspondent had yet to confirm if any life was lost, our correspondent gathered that four policemen allegedly sustained gunshot injuries from the Invaders.

Our correspondent gathered that the gunmen did not flee as they stayed by and supervised the burning of the police facility.

The source, who does not want his name in print said, “The gunmen came, condoned of the divisional headquarters and immediately opened fire on the policemen on duty. This was after they had freed all the suspects and collected all the arms. Afterwards, they set it ablaze using petrol to ignite fire. This is very unfortunate.”

The Interim Management Committee chairman of Isiala Mbano LGA, Chika Okoroike, who also confirmed the attack when contacted by The PUNCH, said that rescue mission was being facilitated by him.

He blamed the removal of soldiers from Anara town 24 hours before the attack.

Okoroike, said that he made fervent moves to make sure that the military men who were posted out of Anara town on Friday without any reason were returned but all to no avail.

The police spokesperson in the state, Orlando Ikeokwu, also confirmed the attack on the division when contacted by The PUNCH.

The PUNCH reports that this is the fourth police divisional headquarters that had been attacked since February after Obowo, Aboh Mbaise and Ihitte/Uboma divisions were attacked, respectively.

-The Punch