Two feared dead in Owerri drainage explosion as police launch bomb investigation

Two suspected scrap metal scavengers have died following a powerful explosion inside a drainage channel along Old Nekede Road in Owerri, the Imo State capital, prompting the Imo State Police Command to launch an investigation into the cause of the blast.

The explosion occurred late Thursday near No. 1 Old Nekede Road, opposite Lakeside Hotel in Owerri West Local Government Area. The loud blast sent residents into panic, with many alerting security agencies immediately after the incident.

Police officers and personnel from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit were swiftly deployed to the scene, where they cordoned off the area and carried out a thorough search of the drainage system to ensure there were no additional explosive devices.

The police later confirmed that the area had been cleared and declared safe for residents and road users.

Preliminary investigations indicate that the two victims were scavenging for scrap materials inside the drainage channel when the object exploded.

The deceased were identified as 32-year-old Hyginus Akalonu, a native 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.

Both men sustained severe blast injuries and extensive burns. They were rushed to the Federal University of Technology Teaching Hospital (FUTTH), Owerri, where doctors confirmed them dead.

The EOD Unit has commenced forensic examinations of fragments and other materials recovered from the scene to determine the exact cause of the explosion. Investigators are exploring several possibilities, including an abandoned explosive device, improperly discarded industrial materials, or other hazardous objects concealed in the drainage.

The Police Public Relations Officer, DSP Henry Okoye, said the command’s anti-bomb unit is conducting a comprehensive investigation and assured the public that further updates would be provided once the technical assessment is concluded.

“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,” Okoye said.

The police urged residents to remain calm, noting that the situation has been brought under control. They also advised members of the public to promptly report any suspicious or abandoned metallic objects to security agencies to prevent similar incidents.