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…three dead, four others in critical condition
Tragedy struck Tuesday afternoon in Awo Idemili at a local market in Orsu LGA when a bomb exploded in the market killing, maiming traders; disrupting the peace of the community and abruptly ending all commercial activities in the market for the day.
The bomb attack which heightened tension among residents of Orsu Council Area is believed to have been carried out by suspected members of the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) and their armed affiliate, the Eastern Security Network (ESN) who detonated Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs) at the popular Eke Ubahaeze market, located near the Orsu Local Government Area headquarters.
According to multiple local sources, the attackers planted the explosives within the bustling market, which was detonated when an unsuspecting market woman marched the explosive device during peak trading hours, causing a big explosion, carnage and chaos.
The blast ripped through sections of the market, sending traders and buyers fleeing for safety amid smoke, debris, and the screams of the wounded.
Local sources and some community leaders have confirmed that no fewer than three persons were killed yesterday following the explosion.
Victims’ identities are yet to be released as three other traders were reported to be in critical condition having been rushed to nearby hospitals for emergency treatment.
First responders, including local vigilantes and joint security forces, had rushed to the scene to save those that can be saved, evacuate casualties and secure the area.
While no group has officially claimed responsibility, local sources and preliminary assessments by security forces point towards the Eastern Security Network (ESN), the armed wing associated with the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB). ESN elements have been frequently accused by Nigerian security forces of carrying out attacks on security personnel, government infrastructure, and civilians perceived as opposing their cause in the Southeast region.
As always, the leadership of Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) through its spokesman, Comrade Emma Powerful, has always reiterated that gunmen operating in Orsu are plain criminals and not members of their group.
“The attack was sudden and terrifying,” recounted one trader who escaped unharmed. “We heard a huge blast, then saw smoke and people running, some covered in blood. It’s pure evil to target people just trying to make a living.”
Community leaders condemned the attack as senseless violence that harms innocent civilians and destroys livelihoods.
Police authorities in the state have confirmed the tragic incident. Police spokesperson, DSP Henry Okoye in a statement noted that Police was swiftly deployed to the area to secure the area as full investigation into the seeming terror attack commenced.
Okoye who blamed the Indigenous People of Biafra (IPOB) for the carnage, named one victim, Ngozi Umeh as the woman who unknowingly stepped on the landmine planted in the market.
This seems a demoralizing setback to the achievements recorded in securing and sanitizing Orsu. Bandits and terror elements associated with the IPOB/ESN have been dislodged and sacked from many areas of Orsu and just before the blast, security forces were defusing, excavating and removing unexploded Improvised Explosive Device (IEDs) planted by the dislodged hoodlums to ensure safety of indigenes when they takeover their homeland.
