Reports circulating online about a prison break at the Owerri Custodial Centre in Imo State have been debunked by the center’s authorities. The Public Relations Officer of the facility, CSC Goodluck Uboegbulam, released a statement on Thursday, April 10, 2025, to dismiss rumors claiming that the prison had been attacked by armed Fulani herdsmen, with numerous inmates escaping.
According to the viral reports, 50 armed herdsmen allegedly stormed the facility, freeing over 70 of their fellow members being held for crimes, including the killing of local farmers. This baseless claim quickly spread across social media platforms, alarming both residents and online users. The news falsely suggested that the entire custodial center had been emptied as inmates reportedly fled during the chaos.
In response to these false claims, Uboegbulam assured the public that there was no such incident at the Owerri Custodial Centre. “The news is completely fake,” he said in his statement. “All officers are on alert, and the center remains secure. Please disregard the rumors and trust that the situation is under control.”
The management further confirmed that security around the facility has been reinforced, with an army armoured tank and other personnel always stationed in front of the center. This security measure has been in place since the violent attack on the center during the #EndSARS protests in 2021. The area surrounding the facility remains cordoned off to traffic, and normal activities continue in the Owerri metropolis.
While this particular rumor has been thoroughly debunked, the incident has once again highlighted the dangers of spreading unverified information online. The authorities have reiterated the importance of relying on official statements rather than sensationalized social media posts.
Uboegbulam concluded by urging the public to remain calm, stating that the Custodial Centre was operating normally and that both the inmates and officers were safe. He also expressed gratitude to the media for their continued support in preventing the spread of misinformation.
As of the time of this report, all operations at the Owerri Custodial Centre have been unaffected by the rumor, with no disruptions to normal activities in the surrounding areas.
