Tragedy struck Obinwanne community in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State on Thursday after an explosion claimed one life and left two others injured.

A disturbing video circulating on social media showed the deceased, identified as Chinworeke Mmadu, writhing in pain with severe leg injuries before succumbing to the blast.

According to residents, the victim may have been attempting to plant the device in a nearby market before it detonated. Some also alleged that he was linked to a terror group posing as Biafra agitators.

Confirming the incident, the spokesman of the Imo State Police Command, Henry Okoye, said preliminary investigations revealed that the victim was carrying the explosive device when it “exploded prematurely.”

“On receipt of the distress call, operatives from Njaba Divisional Headquarters immediately mobilised to the scene,” Okoye stated. He added that the injured passers-by had been rushed to the hospital for urgent treatment.

Okoye further revealed that the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Hamzat Abdulkadir, led operatives of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit to the scene. The area was thoroughly swept and declared safe for public use.

Meanwhile, the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, commiserated with the victims’ families, prayed for the recovery of the injured, and reassured residents of the command’s commitment to safeguarding lives and property.

He urged members of the public to remain calm, vigilant, and to provide useful information that could help security agencies prevent further incidents.