Revealed: Cause, casualties, areas affected… all to know about Ibadan explosion
Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo State has confirmed the death of two persons and 77 others injured in the Ibadan, Oyo State explosion.
He however attributed the incident to illegal miners storing explosives devices in the area.
The governor said that responders and state agencies have since been deep to the scene of the incident for thorough search and rescue operations, expressing condolences for the loss of life and property damage.
“We visited the scene of the explosion which occurred at about 7.44 pm yesterday, 16 January 2024 in Bodija, Ibadan,” the governor said.
“This unfortunate incident resulted in death and injury to residents in the vicinity and also affected properties. We have already deployed first responders and all relevant agencies within Oyo State to carry out comprehensive search and rescue operations.”
He added that preliminary investigations by the security agencies revealed that “illegal miners occupying one of the houses in Bodija had stored explosive devices there which caused the blast”.
According to PREMIUM TIMES reports, some victims of the incident have been admitted to various hospitals, including the University College Hospital (UCH).
In a statement by the state’s Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, the government said there were various interpretations of the explosion, but that its cause has not been ascertained.
Mr Oyelade, however, assured residents that the state government was in control of the situation in the state.
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He said security agencies in the state have deployed their officials to contain the spillover from the explosion.
Affected places:
1. Eleyele, Ologuneru, Owalla, Ekerin, Isokan, Apete, and parts of the University College Hospital (UCH)
2. Dejo Oyelese area behind the secretariat
3. Others are Gbaremu, Mokola, Bodija, Oke-Itunu, Basorun, Akobo and Sango. Sections of the Governor’s Office.
4. Roads and
5. Residential houses
