By Athan Agbakwuru, Owerri
No fewer than twenty persons have reportedly lost their lives following a ghastly multiple road traffic crash, even as two persons were killed in a bomb explosion that rocked the Njaba area and Orlu International Market, all in Imo West Senatorial Zone of Imo State.
The auto crash which occurred late Tuesday afternoon at Njaba involved two tippers, a Corolla car and a fully-loaded 18-seater Hummer bus.
All the vehicles involved in the fatal accident were damaged and mangled beyond recognition and possible repair as it took the dexterity of the villagers to drag out the trapped bodies of the crushed commuters.
According to eyewitness account, 16 passengers, driver and conductor of the commuter bus were all killed in the accident just as those in the Corolla were also sent to their early graves.
Nigerian Pilot reliably gleaned that the bloody auto crash was caused by the speeding commuter bus while trying to overtake the loaded tipper but rammed into an oncoming tipper and other vehicles.
Earlier in the day, about 12:40hrs, two young men riding on motorcycle met their untimely death while allegedly trying to plant an improvised explosive device, IED, at the Orlu International Market, near Mbari Okporo in Orlu LGA of Imo.
Confirming the incidents, Imo Police Public Relations Officer, PPRO, ASP Henry Okoye, alleged that the victims of the bomb blast were suspected IPOB/ESN members.
He said, “Fortunately, the device detonated before they could carry out their plan, killing both individuals instantly and preventing what could have been a far more tragic outcome. Two passersby were injured in the blast and were promptly taken to the hospital for medical treatment.
“Preliminary investigations suggest that the two deceased individuals may have been involved in earlier IED explosions in the Omuma and Orlu communities on November 3rd, 2024, which resulted in injuries to two citizens. Further investigations are ongoing to confirm their involvement in these incidents.
Okoye explained that the Commissioner of Police, Imo State Command, CP Aboki Danjuma, in swift response to the explosion, visited the scene with EOD operatives for an on-the-spot assessment.
He added that the CP expressed sympathy to the injured victims and wished them a swift recovery and reassured residents that the area had been cleared of any remaining IEDs and that enhanced security measures are now in place to prevent future incidents.