Imo: Double Tragedy Hits State, 18 Die

By Charles Igbo

A Double tragedy has hit Imo State within a space of 24 hours. The tragedies claimed with them, at least, 18 lives.

The first was on Tuesday, November 5, 2024. It came in the form a devastating and unexpected bomb which hit the Orlu International Market.

The second which happened Wednesday morning was a fatal accident which happened in the same Orlu Zone, but now at the Njaba Local Government Area.

The bomb was detonated at the Orlu International Market when the market was filled up. While people were there transacting their daily businesses, the Improvised Explosive Device, IED, was detonated and sent everybody scampering for their lives. Confusion reigned.

While the scores who ran helter-skelter were injured, two were not that lucky. They lost their lives. Fortunately, the victims were the criminals who detonated the bomb.

Henry Okoye, Imo State Police Command’s Spokesperson, confirmed two fatalities and also confirmed it was an IED. He added that: “The Commissioner of Police, Imo State, Aboki Danjuma, has sent an anti-bomb squad to the scene.”

And in the fatal accident which happened on the River Njaba bridge  in the Njaba LGA, 16 persons lost their lives.

According to eye witnesses, the accident occurred when a commercial vehicle lost control as it approached the bridge located on the Njaba-Owerri road, hit the edge of the bridge. The impact was tragic.

For years, the Njaba bridge has been notorious for such accidents.