Some armed hoodlums have broken into a cell of the Okrika Police Division, in Okirika, Rivers State, freeing all inmates.

The incident was reported to have happened at about 2am on Tuesday.

A police source, who spoke on the condition of anonymity, said the occurrence had been reported to the Police Headquarters, Abuja and the state Police Command, Moscow Road, Port Harcourt.

According to him, “The hoodlums broke the padlock of the cell, and also opened the backdoor of the cell where the inmates escaped from around 2am on Tuesday.

“We have reported the incident to the police force headquarters, zonal and state commands.

“The officers on duty at the time the cell break occurred will account for it.”

The acting Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), Grace Iringe-Koko, confirmed the incident.

He said the Commissioner of Police, Friday Eboka, ordered his Deputy, Patrick Longe, to investigate the matter

She said as part of the investigation, the officers on duty had been arrested and detained.