Explosion Rocks Imo Community, Leaves One Dead

Residents of Obinwanne Community in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State were thrown into panic on Thursday following a deadly explosion that claimed one life and left two others injured.

The incident, which occurred in the early hours of the day, sent shockwaves through the South-Eastern community, with many residents rushing to the scene in confusion and fear.

Eyewitnesses said the victim, identified as Chinworeke Mmadu, was carrying an explosive device when it detonated. Viral clips that surfaced online shortly after the blast showed him writhing in pain, his legs badly damaged. He reportedly died from the injuries a short while later.

In one of the videos, residents could be heard accusing him of attempting to plant the bomb at a nearby market before it went off. Some alleged that Mmadu might have been working for a terror group that claims to be Biafra agitators, though no group has publicly taken responsibility for the incident.

Police Confirm Premature Detonation

The Imo State Police Command confirmed the explosion in a statement released Thursday.

Henry Okoye, the Command’s spokesman, said the device exploded prematurely while the victim was in possession of it. He added that operatives quickly mobilized to the area after receiving a distress call, restoring calm and preventing further panic among residents.

“On receipt of the distress call, operatives from Njaba Divisional Headquarters immediately mobilized to the scene,” Okoye stated.

He further revealed that two passers-by who were caught in the blast sustained injuries and were rushed to the hospital for treatment.

Following the explosion, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Hamzat Abdulkadir, led operatives from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit to comb the area.

According to Okoye, the entire community was carefully swept and later declared safe for public use. “Order has been restored, and there is no further threat to residents,” he assured.

The police have since launched a full-scale investigation into the incident to determine the motive behind the act and whether it was part of a larger coordinated plan.

Commissioner of Police in Imo State, Aboki Danjuma, commiserated with the community and wished the injured victims a quick recovery. He called on residents to remain calm but vigilant.

Danjuma also appealed for public cooperation in providing “timely and credible information” that could help security agencies prevent future attacks.

“We are committed to safeguarding lives and property in Imo State,” he said, urging residents to report any suspicious movement or persons to the nearest police formation.

Heightened Security Concerns

Thursday’s incident has once again raised concerns about the proliferation of improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in parts of the South-East, where security forces have been battling sporadic violence linked to separatist activities.

Community leaders have called for intensified surveillance, stressing the need for government and security agencies to address rising insecurity in rural communities where residents remain vulnerable.

While police investigations continue, security experts have advised locals to exercise caution and avoid tampering with any strange object found in public spaces.

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