Abuja, Apr 6 (IANS): The Nigerian Correctional Service (NCS) said that 1,844 inmates escaped following an armed attack on one of its facilities in Owerri city.

NCS spokesman Francis Enobore said in a statement that unidentified gunmen stormed the facility at about 2.15 a.m. on Monday and gained entrance into the yard by using explosives at the administrative block, reports Xinhua news agency.

He said the gunmen arrived at the facility in large numbers, "armed with sophisticated weapons and immediately engaged the security personnel on duty in a fierce gun battle".

"They eventually detonated the explosive to gain entrance."

He said acting Controller-General of Corrections John Mrabure has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the incident and in collaboration with other security organisations, commenced a search and recovery operation to recapture the fleeing inmates.

The spokesperson called on citizens of the state to offer useful intelligence that will facilitate the recovery effort, and vowed that the security of correctional facilities in the country remains sacrosanct.

In a statement released late Monday, Nigerian police said Inspector-General Mohammed Abubakar Adamu ordered an immediate deployment of additional units of police mobile force and other police tactical squads to Imo to strengthen security in the state and prevent further attacks.