Imo explosion kills Two as Police launch investigation

Two suspected scrap metal scavengers have lost their lives following an explosion inside a drainage channel along Old Nekede Road in Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.
The Police public relations officer, Imo State Police Command, DSP Henry Okoye. confirmed the incident in a statement made available to Newsmen on Friday in Owerri.
According to Okoye, the explosion occurred at about 9:15 p.m. on Thursday inside a large drainage channel at No. 1 Old Nekede Road, opposite Lakeside Hotel. Officers, including members of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit, were immediately deployed to the scene, where the area was cordoned off and thoroughly searched before being declared safe.
The victims were identified as Hyginus Akalonu, 32, from Umulumu in Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, and Victor Egwu, 22, from Agba in Ishielu Local Government Area of Ebonyi State.
Police said preliminary investigations indicate that the two men, believed to be scrap metal scavengers, were inside the drainage channel when the explosion occurred. They sustained severe burns and were rushed to the Federal University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Owerri, where they were confirmed dead while receiving treatment.
Okoye said the Command’s Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit has commenced a comprehensive investigation to determine the cause and circumstances surrounding the explosion.
He assured the public that further updates would be provided as investigations progress.