Sleepless nights for Owerri residents as notorious ‘Vampire’ remains at-large
For three weeks now, after notorious kidnapper/armed robber known as ‘Vampire’, with real name Henry Chibueze, escaped from the custody of the Imo State Prison authorities aided by an armed gang, the criminal is still at large. This is despite efforts to track and re-arrest him.
The Public Relations Officer of the Imo State Prisons Command, Mr. James Madugba told Daily Trust that no arrests have so far been made, adding that a manhunt is underway.
The Imo State Police Command’s Public Relations Officer, ASP Andrew Enwerem, also confirmed to Daily Trust that so far there are no arrests. He also declined to comment, saying it is a judiciary matter.
The sensational escape of Vampire, who has been standing trial at the Owerri High Court since 2015 when he was arrested and paraded before newsmen by the DSS in Imo State, occurred on the premises of Owerri High Court on 27th January. The incident saw about 6 persons killed and many wounded, including Prisons Service personnel.
Residents of Owerri reacted negatively, and condemned the prisons officials and other security authorities in the state, stating many conspiracy theories as to how the breakout could have been possible. Many of them told Daily Trust that they cannot sleep at night now, because Vampire is still at-large, along with his gang.
The Comptroller-General of the Nigeria Prisons Service, Ahmed Ja’afaru, immediately relocated to Imo State to receive firsthand information about what transpired as he quickly announced the resolve to construct make-shift, but secure cells at high courts nationwide.
Describing the incident as unfortunate, he said the Service has taken necessary measures to stop future occurrences. He also gave assurances for an improved service with the procurement of 320 vehicles to ensure that inmates are delivered to the court under tight security for swift disposal of justice.
A source said after the attack that saw Vampire broken out by his gang, the Imo State Police Command carried out a raid at the Imo State Prison Command, where they recovered a good number of mobile phones which inmates allegedly were using. But when Daily Trust enquired, both the Police and Prison Commands denied any raids having occurred.
However, DSP Andrew Ebwerem, and his Prisons counterpart Mr. James Madugba described the claims as false.
A frontline politician in the state, Chief Okey Ebiri, blamed the prison authorities, and he expressed dissatisfaction at the fact that the suspect has been in custody since 2915 after he made confessions that he killed many people.
Vampire had then infamously demanded that he be executed, stating that his “blood was still hot.”
Meanwhile Governor Rochas Okorocha, who expressed regret over the incident, has pledged a N 5million reward to anyone who offers useful information leading to the arrest of Vampire.