Nigeria, June 27 -- Two people were killed on Thursday in Imo State when a bomb explosion occurred inside a large drainage channel in the state.

The police spokesperson in Imo State, Henry Okoye, said in a statement on Friday that the incident happened at about 9:15 p.m. in Owerri West Local Government Area of the state.

Mr Okoye, a deputy superintendent of police, identified the slain victims as Hyginus Akalonu, 32, of Umulumu, Ehime Mbano Local Government Area of Imo State, and Victor Egwu, 22, of Agba, Ishielu Local Government Area, Ebonyi State.

"Preliminary investigation indicates that the two suspects (victims), who were inside the large drainage channel at the time of the explosion, are suspected scrap metal scavengers.

"They s...