​BLOWN APART: 2 Die in Owerri Blast

​A routine search for scrap metal turned into a scene of horror on Thursday night when a mysterious explosion inside a drainage channel along Old Nekede Road, Owerri West, left two scavengers dead.

​The blast, which occurred around 9:15 p.m. opposite the Lakeside Hotel, triggered widespread panic across the neighborhood, forcing residents to scramble for safety as the thunderous sound echoed through the area.

​Midnight Terror and Tactical Response

​Following the explosion, the Imo State Police Command swiftly mobilized patrol teams and tactical operatives, alongside the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit, to cordon off the area. Bomb experts meticulously swept the site for secondary devices before declaring the perimeter safe for public access.

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​Preliminary police reports indicate that the victims—identified as Hyginus Akalonu, 32, from Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, and Victor Egwu, 22, from Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State—had crawled into the large drainage system in search of discarded metals when the blast occurred.

​”The scene was immediately locked down by our EOD team to prevent further casualties and secure vital forensic evidence,” a police source confirmed.

​Fatal Injuries and Ongoing Investigation

​The two men sustained catastrophic blast and burn injuries from the detonation. Although rushed to the Federal University of Technology Teaching Hospital (FUTTH), Owerri, medical personnel later confirmed both men dead.

​Imo State Commissioner of Police, Audu Garba Bosso, has ordered a full-scale forensic assessment of the site to identify the exact nature and origin of the explosive material.

​While the source of the blast remains unknown, CP Bosso has urged Owerri residents to maintain calm, reassuring the public that the incident does not pose an ongoing security threat. He further advised citizens to remain highly vigilant and immediately report abandoned packages or suspicious movements to local law enforcement.