Members of the Eastern Security Network executed the Monday attacks in Owerri, the Imo State capital, the Inspector-General of Police, Mohammed Adamu, has said.
But IPOB, however, has denied masterminding the attacks.
Adamu condemned the alleged act by the sect, saying in a statement signed by Force Public Relations Officer, Frank Mba, additional units of Police Mobile Force and other Police Tactical Squads would be deployed to the state to strengthen security and prevent further attacks on security formations or any other critical national infrastructure in the state.
Gunmen attacked the Imo State Police Command headquarters and the Owerri Correctional Prison, leaving scores of vehicles razed around 1am earlier today, Monday, and freeing at least 1,500 inmates.
The miscreants further freed the suspects in almost all the cells at the State Criminal Investigation Department of the command.
The IGP, in the statement, said: “Preliminary investigations have revealed that the attackers, who came in their numbers with sophisticated weapons such as General Purpose Machine Guns (GPMGs), Sub-Machine Guns (SMGs), AK49 rifles, Rocket Propelled Grenades (RPGs), Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs), are members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB)/Eastern Security Network (ESN).
“The attempt by the attackers to gain access to the Police armoury at the Headquarters was totally and appropriately resisted by Police operatives on duty who repelled the attackers and prevented them from breaking-in and looting the armoury.
“The armoury is thus intact! Similarly, the police suffered no human casualty, apart from a police Constable who sustained a minor bullet wound on his shoulder,” the statement read.
The IGP also directed the Commissioner of Police in the state and a new Special Investigation Team to conduct thorough investigations into the incident so as to uncover the masterminds and bring them to justice.
The statement read: “The IGP, who described the deliberate and criminal attack on security operatives as an attack on the soul of our nation, has enjoined leaders in Imo State, the South-East and other parts of the country to speak out against the unfolding violence and criminality.
“The IGP calls on citizens to avail the Police and other security agencies with useful information that can assist in identifying and arresting the criminals.
“He vowed that the perpetrators will be brought to book, noting that the Force is doing all within its powers to curb the activities of unscrupulous elements hell-bent on threatening the unity, safety, security and socio-economic wellbeing of Nigerians,” the statement added.
