Two people were killed on Thursday in Imo State when a bomb explosion occurred inside a large drainage channel in the state.
The police spokesperson in Imo State, Henry Okoye, said in a statement on Friday that the incident happened at about 9:15 p.m. in Owerri West Local Government Area of the state.
Mr Okoye, a deputy superintendent of police, identified the slain victims as Hyginus Akalonu, 32, of Umulumu, Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, and Victor Egwu, 22, of Agba, Ishielu Local Government Area, Ebonyi State.
“Preliminary investigation indicates that the two suspects (victims), who were inside the large drainage channel at the time of the explosion, are suspected scrap metal scavengers.
“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,” he said.
The spokesperson said police operatives immediately visited the scene of the explosion and cordoned off upon receipt of a tip-off about the incident.
He said the police in the state subsequently deployed the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit to “secure and thoroughly sweep” the scene.
“The area has since been declared safe,” he assured.
Investigation
Mr Okoye said the police in the state had begun an investigation to determine the cause and circumstances surrounding the explosion.
“Further updates will be communicated as the investigation progresses,” he assured.
The spokesperson said the Commissioner of Police in Imo State Audu Bosso, has assured residents of the state that the police in the state were “on top of the situation.”
“The area has been secured, and there is no cause for panic,” Mr Bosso said.
The commissioner urged the residents to remain vigilant and promptly report any “suspicious objects or activities” to the police.
Not the first time
This is not the first time a bomb would explode in Imo State.
In September 2025, one person was killed when a bomb explosion occurred in Obinwanne Community, Njaba Local Government Area of the state.
The September explosion occurred about three months after a similar bomb explosion rocked Awo-Idemili, a community in Orsu Local Government Area of the South-eastern state.
Aside from some injured victims, a middle-aged woman was killed during the explosion which 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 of the state.
Although no group has claimed responsibility for the bomb explosions, the outlawed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) has been blamed for some deadly attacks in the South-east.
But the separatist group has repeatedly denied any involvement in the attacks in the region.
IPOB is leading the agitation for an independent state of Biafra, which it wants carved out from the south-east and some parts of south-south Nigeria.