Landmine Kills Market Woman, Injures Five In Imo Explosion

Tragedy struck at the Eke Ubaheze Market Square in Awo-Idemili, Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State, on Wednesday as a landmine explosion claimed the life of a market woman, identified as Mrs. Ngozi Umeh, and injured at least five others.

Naijaonpoint reports that the incident, which occurred around 2:40 pm, sent shockwaves through the local community, disrupting trading activities and throwing the quiet village into panic.

Confirming the incident, the spokesperson of the Imo State Police Command, ASP Henry Okoye, said preliminary investigations indicated that the explosive device was a landmine suspected to have been planted by members of the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its militant wing, the Eastern Security Network (ESN).

“Preliminary investigation revealed that the explosion occurred when Ngozi Umeh, a middle-aged woman from Ubaheze village, stepped on a landmine suspected to have been planted by IPOB/ESN terrorists. She was critically injured and later confirmed dead at the hospital,” Okoye told Punch Metro on Wednesday.

He added that five others who sustained various degrees of injuries during the explosion were currently receiving treatment at an undisclosed hospital.

Local sources, however, claimed that the number of fatalities may be higher, with some residents insisting that two people lost their lives in the blast.

Following the explosion, Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, immediately deployed operatives from the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit, tactical teams, and personnel from Orsu and Orlu Divisions to secure the area.

Okoye said the market and surrounding vicinity were swept for any additional Improvised Explosive Devices (IEDs) and later declared safe.

“The area has since been declared safe, and normal activities have resumed under enhanced security surveillance,” he noted.

CP Aboki Danjuma expressed deep condolences to the bereaved family of Mrs. Umeh and offered prayers for the quick recovery of the injured.

“The Imo State Police Command remains committed to rooting out all criminal elements threatening the peace of Orsu and the entire state,” the police spokesperson quoted the CP as saying.

In a further development, the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) has been directed to launch a comprehensive investigation to identify and apprehend those behind the deadly explosion.

ASP Okoye also urged members of the public to remain vigilant and to report suspicious items, persons, or movements to the nearest police station or via the Command’s emergency line: 08034773600.