Pandemonium as gunmen invade Owerri High Court, free kidnap suspect

Gunmen believed to be members of a notorious kidnap
and armed robbery gang invaded the Owerri High
Court on Friday and freed a suspected member of the
syndicate, Henry Chibueze, who is known as Vampire.
The suspect and others had been brought into the
court premises to face kidnapping and other heinous
criminal charges before the attack.
It was gathered that shortly after Chibueze, who had
been in prison custody in Owerri, and about 50 other
in-mates were driven to the court in a police van,
about six bandits, armed with sophisticated arms and
weapons invaded the premises.
The bandits escaped with Chibueze after a shootout
with security operatives, which left several persons
with injuries.
The State Public Relations Officer of the Nigerian
Prisons Service, Mr. Maduba James, said the suspect,
Henry, was at large and that over six people were
critically injured during the gunfight.
The PRO said, “We were in the office this morning
when we got a distress call that some gunmen were in
the court premises, we thought they were DSS
officials because by then we were conveying over 50
in-mates to the state High Court for hearing.
“However, the gunmen attacked some of our men and
some of the in-mates. They were critically injured and
have been taking to the hospital.
“Nevertheless, one of the in-mates who we know as
Vampire is at large presently but my Comptroller and
other security operatives in the state are on top of the
situation”.
When also contacted, the State Commissioner of
Police, Taiwo Lakanu, said he was dressing up to go
to work when he heard the sound gun shots.
He said, “As the court is adjacent to my residence, I
quickly moved all the policemen in my compound and
we moved to rescue the situation. The hot chase led
to the arrest of some suspects.
Alabatvnews.