Tragedy struck Obinwanne community in Njaba Local Government Area of Imo State on Thursday when an explosion claimed the life of a man and left two passers-by injured.

A disturbing video of the incident, which quickly went viral on social media, showed the victim, identified as Chinworeke Mmadu, writhing in pain after the blast shattered his legs.

Residents alleged that Mmadu may have been attempting to plant the explosive device in a nearby market before it detonated. Others also claimed he was linked to a terror group parading as Biafra agitators.

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

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

He added that the injured passers-by were rushed to the hospital, while the Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of Operations, Hamzat Abdulkadir, led the Explosive Ordnance Disposal Unit to sweep the area and declare it safe for public use.

Imo State Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, prayed for the speedy recovery of the injured and assured residents of the Command’s commitment to protecting lives and property.

He urged the public to remain calm, vigilant, and to provide timely information to security agencies to help avert similar incidents.