Two suspected scrap metal scavengers have been confirmed dead following an explosion that rocked the Old Nekede Road area in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State on Thursday night.
The Imo State Police Command confirmed the incident in a statement issued on Friday, by the Command’s spokesperson DSP Henry Okoye.
According to statement, the blast occurred at about 9:15 p.m. on Thursday inside a large drainage channel located at No. 1 Old Nekede Road, directly opposite the Lakeside Hotel.
Okoye stated that operatives of the command were immediately mobilized to the scene alongside the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit.
He explained that the area was subsequently cordoned off, thoroughly swept by the bomb squad, and has since been declared safe for public movement.
According to him, preliminary investigations by the police revealed that the two victims were inside the large drainage channel when the explosion occurred.
The statement identified the victims as 32-year-old Hyginus Akalonu, an indigene of Umulumu in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, and 22-year-old Victor Egwu, from Agba in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
“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,” the statement partly read.
The statement added, “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.”
Meanwhile, the Imo State Commissioner of Police, CP Audu Garba Bosso, has reassured residents that the police command is fully on top of the situation, maintaining that there is no cause for panic or alarm in the capital city.
He urged members of the public to remain highly vigilant and to promptly report any suspicious objects, packages, or activities to the nearest police formation or through the command’s designated emergency lines.