June 26 (THEWILL) — Two persons were killed after an explosion ripped through a drainage channel along Old Nekede Road in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State on Thursday night.
A statement signed on Friday by the State Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, said the explosion occurred at about 9:15 p.m. inside a large drainage channel opposite Lakeside Hotel, prompting the immediate deployment of police operatives and the Command’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit to the scene.
Okoye said the area was swiftly cordoned off while the EOD team conducted a thorough search to eliminate any further threat before declaring the location safe.
Preliminary investigations identified the deceased as 32-year-old Hyginus Akalonu of Umulumu in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State and 22-year-old Victor Egwu of Agba in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Okoye said the victims, identified as suspected scrap metal scavengers, sustained severe burns in the blast and later died while receiving treatment at the Federal University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Owerri.
The police said both men were inside the drainage channel when the explosion occurred. They were rushed to the Federal University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Owerri, where they were confirmed dead while receiving treatment.
“The Command’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit has commenced a comprehensive investigation to determine the cause and circumstances surrounding the explosion. Further updates will be communicated as the investigation progresses”, the statement read.
The Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Audu Garba Bosso, reassured residents that the situation was under control, stressing that there was no cause for panic as the affected area had been secured.
Bosso urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report suspicious objects or activities to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency lines.
The police said investigations are ongoing to establish the exact cause of the explosion and determine the circumstances that led to the fatal incident.
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