ABUJA: 06, APRIL, 2021: Over 1,800 inmates managed to escape after gunmen stormed a prison in southeastern Nigeria, using explosives including machine guns, rocket-propelled grenades and rifles in the early hours of Monday, authorities said. 

The attacks began around 2 a.m. in the town of Owerri in Imo state and lasted for about two hours, according to local resident Uche Okafor.

Authorities further said armed men also assaulted several other police and military buildings. 

The Nigerian Correctional Service has confirmed that 1,844 inmates escaped from the jail in Imo state.

"Efforts are in top gear to re-arrest the fleeing detainees," said Nigeria prison spokesman Francis Enobore. 

"35 other inmates stayed behind during the prison break," the spokesman added. 

The coordinated attacks come less than two weeks after another wave of violence in southeastern Nigeria, when at least a dozen security officers were killed during attacks on four police stations, military checkpoints and prison vehicles.

In a statement, police said "The attempt by the attackers to gain access to the police armory at the headquarters was totally and appropriately resisted." 

Since January several police stations and vehicles across south-eastern Nigeria have been attacked and large amounts of ammunition stolen. No-one has claimed responsibility for the attacks. (04)