Midnight Explosion Rocks Imo Community, Newly Built House Reduced to Rubble
By Okafor Joseph Afam
January 13, 2025
Panic gripped the Umuneke community in Mbieri, Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State, following a midnight bomb explosion that razed a newly completed bungalow to rubble. The explosion, which occurred late Saturday night, left residents in shock, although no casualties were reported.
The affected building, a family house, was recently completed by a couple who had planned to move in by February. The incident has raised concerns over safety and security in the community.
A resident, Iyke Njoku, recounted the unsettling experience: “The sound was massive, like nothing we had ever heard before. It came with such force that we thought it was a direct attack. When we didn’t hear screams or see movement, we decided to investigate, only to discover the house in ruins.”
Njoku further explained how the blast was heard in neighbouring villages, sparking widespread anxiety. “People from other villages called to ask what happened. It wasn’t until morning that we fully understood the scale of the damage,” he added.
Another eyewitness, Mr. Emma Emeka, described the event as terrifying. “We were asleep when the explosion jolted us awake. The new bungalow was completely destroyed in seconds. Nobody saw what caused it, and no one can explain who was behind it. We are all scared and sleeping with one eye open now.”
The couple who owned the house reportedly invested their life savings into the construction and were preparing to move in soon. Residents lamented the tragic turn of events, calling it a heartbreaking loss for the family.
Efforts to get a response from the Imo State Police Command proved futile, as the state police spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye, could not be reached at the time of filing this report.
While the cause of the explosion remains unknown, the incident has heightened fears in the community, with calls for an urgent investigation to unravel the mystery behind the blast and ensure the safety of residents.
