The Imo Police Command has confirmed that two persons died on Tuesday when an Improvised Explosive Device (IED) exploded at the International Market, Orlu.

The command’s public relations officer, ASP Henry Okoye, confirmed the incident in a statement in Owerri.

Mr Okoye disclosed that several other people sustained injuries from the explosion while scampering to safety. He explained that the command had launched an investigation to unravel the circumstances surrounding the incident.

According to him, a preliminary investigation revealed that two hoodlums died from an IED. “The two persons, who were incidentally the hoodlums, were killed in the process of setting up the IED.

“The Commissioner of Police, CP Aboki Danjuma, has deployed anti-bomb operatives to the scene,” the police spokesman added.

Mr Okoye urged residents of the area and the traders in the market not to panic. He also urged the people to assist the police and other security agencies with relevant information on any suspicious activities by suspected hoodlums.