A house and property within and around it have been damaged by a suspected bomb explosion that rocked Umuneke area in Ihitte Mbieri community of Mbaitoli Local Government Area of Imo State.
The attack was said to have happened at the wee hours of Sunday.
It was gathered that residents had observed an object that looked like a jet hovering around Umuneke, Amaulu and Umunjam areas of the Ihitte Mbieri community before a loud bang shook the entire community.
A building that has just been roofed was completely demolished by the explosion while other property surrounding it was also not spared.
The incident was said to have caused panic among residents of the community.
Confirming the attack in a statement on Sunday, the President General Ihitte Mbieri Town Union, Egejuru Austin, suspected a bomb attack, calling on the state government and security agencies to cordon-off the area and carryout necessary investigation.
Austin did not state whether there is causality in the suspected explosion.
Explaining how the disaster occured, the community leader said, “We woke up this morning to a suspected drone or bomb attack at Umuneke, Ihitte Mbieri, Mbaitoli LGA.
“Over the night, at about 00:56GMT, a jet or object was seen hovering around Umuneke, Amaulu and Umunjam, all in Ihitte Mbieri Autonomous Community. Minutes later, a loud sound that terrified buildings in the affected towns was heard, keeping the community at wake till dawn.”
He noted that, “Residents of Ihitte Mbieri were terrified to see that the sound heard last and the ariel activities were actually a drone or jet attack targeted at a building in Umuneke, Ihitte Mbieri.”
“This morning, Mbaitoli Local Government Chairman, Hon Ifunanya Nwanegwo, the DPO Mbieri Police Division, Supol WetBen, OC DSS Mbaitoli LGA, Mr John, The Traditional Ruler of Ihitte Mbieri Autonomous Community, Eze Vitalis Achilike and the President General of Ihitte Mbieri, Hon Egejuru Austin, all visited the scene of the incident to ascertain what happened and to appraise the level of devastation on the building and its surrounding.
“As at the time of this report, no body has owned responsibility for the attack and the Police Anti Bomb Unit is yet to report at the scene of incident to further investigation.
“We wish to call on the Government of Imo State and relevant security authorities to please cordon off the area and assure residents of Ihitte Mbieri of security of their lives and properties,” he said.
