From Uchenna Inya, Abakiliki
A couple, George and Chioma Buchi have died in an explosion that occurred yesterday in Abakaliki, Ebonyi State.
However, their three years old son was not at home when the explosion occurred.
It was gathered that their lucky child was with his grandmother when the incident occurred.
The incident occurred in their residence, Water Works Road in the capital city.
According to a source, the couple had just moved in to their newly built house.
The source hinted that Chioma was a sibling to a popular singer, Patoranking.
However, there are three different accounts to the incident; some said the explosion was caused by solar light battery inverter, others claimed it was caused by a gas cylinder, while some alleged that explosive was planted in the compound.
One of the neighbours of the couple, Nwokporo Victor Uchechukwu, said, “It happened in my street. We only heard sound of explosion in the afternoon. When we rushed to the compound, smoke was coming out of the new building with all the electronics, ceiling, doors, windows damaged and glasses scattered all over the place.
“ At first, we thought it was Gas cylinder explosion. I don’t think it was caused by Inverter or gas. It is beyond human understanding. It is only God who knows what was planted in that house. It sounded like a Bomb”
The Ebonyi State Police Public Relations Officer (PPRO), DSP Joshua Ukandu, said there was explosion in the house of the couple which caused serious injuries on them and they were rushed to the hospital for treatment.
“Well, unfortunately, while the wife, a sister of Partoranking, died few hours that they arrived the hospital, her husband gave up the ghost the following day, September 11, 2024.
“I cannot confirmed what led to the incident, whether it was battery inverter or a gas cylinder in the house, we don’t have any confirmed fact to it.
“Investigation is ongoing. I will have to call our people investigating the matter to find out from preliminary investigation”.
The couple left their 3-year-old son behind. The kid was with his grandmother when the incident happened.
