Owerri West Blast Fatal: Two Suspected Scavengers Die

An explosion that occurred on Thursday night in the Old Nekede Road area of Owerri West Local Government Area, Imo State, has resulted in the deaths of two individuals believed to be scrap metal scavengers.

DSP Henry Okoye, spokesperson for the Imo State Police Command, verified the tragic event in a statement released on Friday. The statement detailed that the explosion took place around 9:15 p.m. on Thursday within a substantial drainage channel situated at No. 1 Old Nekede Road, precisely opposite the Lakeside Hotel.

Okoye further mentioned that police operatives, accompanied by the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit, were promptly deployed to the site. He clarified that after cordoning off the vicinity, the bomb squad conducted a comprehensive sweep, subsequently declaring the area safe for residents. Initial police investigations, according to Okoye, indicated that the two casualties were positioned inside the expansive drainage channel at the moment of the blast.

The official statement named the deceased as Hyginus Akalonu, 32, from Umulumu, Ehime Mbano LGA, Imo State, and Victor Egwu, 22, an indigene of Agba, Ishielu LGA, Ebonyi State. The police statement partly revealed: "Preliminary investigation indicates that the two suspects, who were inside the large drainage channel at the time of the explosion, are suspected scrap metal scavengers identified as Hyginus Akalonu, 32, of Umulumu, Ehime Mbano Local Government Area, Imo State, and Victor Egwu, 22, of Agba, Ishielu Local Government Area, Ebonyi State. They sustained severe burn injuries during the incident and were promptly evacuated to the Federal University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Owerri, where they were confirmed dead while receiving treatment."

It was further noted that, "The Command's Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit has commenced a comprehensive investigation to determine the cause and circumstances surrounding the explosion. Further updates will be communicated as the investigation progresses."

In the interim, CP Audu Garba Bosso, the Imo State Commissioner of Police, has assured the public that the police command is actively managing the situation, emphasizing that there is no need for apprehension in the state capital. He appealed to citizens to remain exceptionally watchful and to promptly report any suspicious items, packages, or occurrences to the closest police station or via the command's official emergency contact numbers.