Tragedy struck the quiet town of Awo-Idemili in Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State on Tuesday, June 24, when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) detonated at the busy Eke Ubaheze Market, killing at least six people and injuring several others.
The deadly explosion, which occurred around 2:30 p.m., has sent shockwaves through Ubaheze village and surrounding communities, sparking widespread panic and confusion. According to multiple eyewitness accounts, the blast was triggered when a middle-aged woman, later identified as Ngozi Umeh, unknowingly stepped on the concealed device while walking through the market square.
Residents say the explosion was sudden and devastating, tearing through a section of the market and flinging bodies and debris across the area. Local sources reported six fatalities at the scene, along with several others who sustained varying degrees of injury.
“We heard a loud bang and saw people running in all directions. Some were crying, others bleeding. It was terrifying,” one witness said.
Police Respond, Confirm One Death and Five Injuries
In an official response, the Imo State Police Command confirmed the incident but gave a lower casualty figure, stating that one person was confirmed dead and five others were injured.
Police Public Relations Officer, Henry Okoye, described the explosion as a result of a landmine suspected to have been planted by operatives of the proscribed IPOB/ESN terrorist group.
“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 died at the hospital,” Okoye said in a statement.
He added that the Imo State Commissioner of Police, Aboki Danjuma, immediately deployed the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) Unit, along with tactical teams and local divisions, to cordon off the area, evacuate victims, and sweep the market for additional threats.
“The area has since been declared safe, and normal activities have resumed under tight security surveillance,” the statement added.
Investigation Underway to Unmask Perpetrators
The Imo State Command has ordered a comprehensive investigation into the attack. The Deputy Commissioner of Police in charge of the State Criminal Investigation Department (SCID) has been tasked with uncovering the individuals or groups responsible for the bombing.
“The Commissioner of Police extends his condolences to the family of the deceased and prays for the speedy recovery of the injured,” the police said, while urging the public to remain calm and continue with their lawful activities.
Heightened Security Concerns in Orsu
Tuesday’s incident is the latest in a series of security challenges plaguing the Orsu region, where authorities have previously accused IPOB/ESN elements of planting explosives and disrupting civil life. Residents have repeatedly raised concerns about the presence of armed groups and the deteriorating security environment in rural parts of Imo State.
Security analysts say the attack underscores the growing threat of guerrilla-style warfare tactics, including the use of landmines and IEDs, by non-state actors in Nigeria’s troubled southeast.
As the investigation unfolds, many in Awo-Idemili are calling for heightened military presence and intelligence-led operations to ensure such attacks do not happen again.
The incident has also reignited public concern over the safety of rural markets, with community leaders urging the state and federal governments to implement stricter security protocols and surveillance in volatile areas.
