Tragedy Strikes as Landmine Kills Trader, Injures Five at Imo Market — Police Blame IPOB/ESN

Panic and sorrow gripped the Eke Ubaheze Market in Awo-Idemili, Orsu Local Government Area of Imo State on Tuesday, June 25, 2025, after a deadly landmine blast tore through the bustling square, killing a local trader and leaving five others wounded. The explosion, which occurred during peak trading hours, instantly scattered goods, shattered stalls, and left the ground soaked in chaos.

The victim, identified as Ngozi Umeh, a middle-aged trader and indigene of Ubaheze village, reportedly stepped on the device unknowingly. Eyewitnesses described the explosion as thunderous, saying it reverberated through the community and threw the entire market into confusion. Despite attempts to save her, Umeh succumbed to critical injuries at a nearby hospital.

Residents who spoke under condition of anonymity insisted that two people died in the explosion, though the police maintained that only one fatality had been officially recorded. Community members are now calling for a thorough investigation and intensified security patrols, warning that more lives could be lost if the area is not thoroughly swept for additional explosive devices.

The Imo State Police Command, through its Public Relations Officer, ASP Henry Okoye, confirmed the tragic incident, blaming the attack on the proscribed Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and its armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN). According to Okoye, preliminary findings suggest that the landmine was deliberately planted by the separatist group to terrorize locals and disrupt economic activities in the region.

In response, Commissioner of Police Aboki Danjuma immediately dispatched the Explosive Ordnance Disposal (EOD) unit, joined by tactical teams from Orsu and Orlu divisions. Their swift deployment ensured the evacuation of victims and the sweeping of the market square to prevent further detonations. No additional explosive devices were found as of the time of filing this report.

Market activities resumed under heavy security surveillance, with visible presence of operatives from multiple police units. Traders, however, are still shaken, with many questioning how an explosive device managed to find its way into one of the state’s busiest local markets. Human rights groups have also condemned the attack, demanding justice for the victims and accountability from security agencies.

This latest incident adds to the rising tensions in Imo State, where frequent clashes between security forces and separatist elements have turned communities into conflict zones. As investigations continue, fear continues to loom over Orsu LGA, a once-thriving commercial hub now marred by violence and uncertainty.