Gunmen attacked and set ablaze a police station in South-East Nigeria on Tuesday hours after Vice-President Yemi Osinbajo's visit to assess the damage from an earlier raid.

Prof Osinbajo had earlier visited the area to assess the damage from the Monday attack on a prison and local police headquarters in Imo's state capital, Owerri.

A police spokesman who confirmed the attack said here were no casualties on their side and no arms were lost - but three vehicles were burnt in the attack.

During his visit on Tuesday, Prof Osinbajo had condemned the attack on the prison where gunmen set free over 1,800 prisoners and burnt buildings and cars.

He expressed sadness over the attack, warning that “the path of violence can only lead to disaster”.

In recent times, there have been a series of attacks on the police, with arms being taken away by gunmen.