The Imo police command says a suspected scavenger, Chinweroke Mmadu, was killed after an explosive device he was carrying detonated in Obinwanne community, Umuaka, Njaba LGA.
Henry Okoye, police spokesperson in Imo, said in a statement that the incident occurred at about 12:30 pm on Wednesday.
Okoye noted that operatives from the Njaba divisional headquarters responded immediately after receiving a distress call.
He added that the incident also left two passersby injured, noting that the police explosive ordnance disposal (EOD) unit had swept the area and declared it safe.
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“It was confirmed that the blast was caused by an explosive device carried by Mr Chinworeke Mmadu, which detonated prematurely, leading to fatal injuries that later claimed his life,” the statement reads.
According to Okoye, enquiries are ongoing to determine the victim’s motive and possible affiliations.
Aboki Danjuma, commissioner of police in Imo, commiserated with the injured victims and urged residents to remain calm and security-conscious.
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“Members of the public are strongly advised to report any suspicious item or object to the nearest police station or through the command’s emergency lines for prompt action,” Okoye quoted the commissioner as saying.
Meanwhile, a villager who spoke on condition of anonymity told TheCable that Mmadu was a scrap scavenger who operated within the community.
