Two die in bomb blast in Imo State

Two people died on Thursday in Imo State when a bomb exploded inside a big drainage channel in the area.

The police spokesperson in Imo State, Henry Okoye, said in a statement on Friday that the blast happened at about 9:15 p.m. in the Owerri West Local Government Area.

Mr Okoye, a deputy superintendent of police, named the victims as Hyginus Akalonu, 32, from Umulumu, Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, and Victor Egwu, 22, from Agba, Ishielu Local Government Area, Ebonyi State.

"Preliminary investigation shows that the two victims were in the drainage channel during the explosion and are believed to be scrap metal scavengers.

They suffered serious burn injuries and were quickly taken to the Federal University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Owerri, where they were confirmed dead while getting treatment," he said.

The spokesperson said police officers went to the explosion site immediately and cordoned it off after receiving a tip-off.

He added that the police brought in the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit to "secure and carefully sweep" the area.

"The area has since been declared safe," he assured.

Investigation

Mr Okoye said police have started an investigation to find out what caused the explosion and the events leading up to it.

"We will share more updates as the investigation goes on," he promised.

He mentioned that the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Audu Bosso, assured residents that the police were "on top of the situation."

"The area has been secured, and there is no need to panic," Mr Bosso said.

The commissioner asked residents to stay alert and report any "suspicious objects or activities" to the police.

Not the first time

This is not the first bomb explosion in Imo State.

In September 2025, one person died when a bomb exploded in Obinwanne Community, Njaba Local Government Area.

That September blast happened about three months after another bomb explosion shook Awo-Idemili, a community in Orsu Local Government Area.

Besides some injured victims, a middle-aged woman died during the explosion that occurred in June 2025.

In November 2024, at least two people were killed when a bomb exploded at the International Market in Umuna, a community in the Orlu Local Government Area.

No group has taken responsibility for these bomb blasts, but the banned Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has been blamed for several attacks in the South-east.

However, the separatist group has denied any involvement in the violence in the region.

IPOB is pushing for an independent state of Biafra, which it wants to be carved out from the South-east and some parts of the South-south.