The Imo State Police Command has deployed a special tactical squad to hunt hoodlums responsible for the attack on a correctional service farm settlement at Umualomoke in the Okigwe Local Government Area of the state.

The command’s spokesperson, ASP Henry Okoye, disclosed this in a statement on Tuesday in Owerri.

Some hoodlums reportedly attacked the farm settlement and the residence of Senator Patrick Ndubeze in the early hours of Monday.

Mr Okoye said the attackers forced the release of seven inmates and abducted a correctional officer in charge of the settlement.

He said a police inspector was also killed during the attack.

Mr Okoye said the state’s Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, who deployed the squad, also visited the scenes of the crime for on-the-spot assessment of the incidents.

“The CP mandated the special squad operatives to intensify efforts in ensuring that the officer-in-charge of the farm settlement is rescued unhurt and the fleeing inmates arrested,” he stated.

He called on members of the public with any useful information to assist the operatives in arresting the hoodlums by reporting such information to the nearest police station.

The police spokesperson also released a phone number: 08034773600, to enable the public to provide information that could lead to the rescue of the officer.

“CP Danjuma encourages the good people of Imo to go about their lawful businesses without any form of fear as the command is on top of the situation and has 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,” the statement added.

(NAN)