Two suspected scrap metal scavengers have been confirmed dead after a powerful explosion tore through a drainage tunnel in Nekede, Owerri West Local Government Area of Imo State.
The tragic incident occurred at about 9:15 p.m. on Thursday, June 25, inside a large drainage channel located at No. 1 Old Nekede Road, opposite Lakeside Hotel, the Imo State Police Command said.
In a statement issued on Friday, the Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, said security operatives swiftly responded to the scene, cordoned off the area and deployed the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit to conduct a comprehensive sweep.
According to him, the location has since been declared safe after security checks.
Preliminary investigations identified the victims 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.
Police said both men were allegedly scavenging for scrap metal inside the drainage tunnel when the explosion occurred.
The victims sustained severe burns and were rushed to the Federal University of Technology Teaching Hospital, Owerri, where they were later confirmed dead while receiving treatment.
Okoye disclosed that the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit has launched a full-scale investigation to determine the exact cause of the blast and the circumstances surrounding the incident.
He added that further information would be made available as investigations progress.
Meanwhile, the Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Garba Bosso, assured residents that the Command had taken full control of the situation and there was no threat to public safety.
According to the police chief, “the Command is fully on top of the situation,” assuring residents that there is no cause for panic.
Bosso also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and promptly report any suspicious objects, explosive materials or unusual activities to the nearest police station or through the Command’s emergency response lines.
