Residents of Adeyi Avenue in Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State, are attributing the explosion that rocked the ancient city on Tuesday night to Malian illegal miners. The blast resulted in at least three fatalities, numerous injuries, and extensive property damage.
President Bola Tinubu urged government agencies to identify and punish those responsible for the “reckless behavior” that led to the devastating explosion in Ibadan. He expressed concern over the incident and called for swift action.
A resident of Adeyi Avenue, identified as Apa, asserted that the explosion was caused by explosive materials used by Malian illegal miners residing in the area. He called on the Federal Government to expel illegal miners from the country.
Another resident, Taiwo Salami, described the aftermath as chaotic, with corpses scattered on the streets. He lamented the loss of lives and property, emphasizing the need for urgent intervention and expressing frustration with the state of the country.
Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, after visiting the scene, confirmed casualties and pointed to illegal miners as the likely cause of the blast. He revealed foreign names in the Corporate Affairs Commission documents related to the company involved.
Makinde criticized the neighborhood association for failing to report the presence of illegal miners, emphasizing the need for stricter regulations. He proposed seeking approval to store explosives with the military to prevent future incidents.
President Tinubu, through his spokesperson, commiserated with Oyo State and called for prompt relief efforts. The Federal Executive Council announced the formation of a committee to review explosives control laws in response to the incident.
The Nigeria Police Force deployed Explosives Ordinance Disposal experts to the affected areas, and the National Emergency Management Authority reported that 58 houses were affected. The Oyo State Government set up an emergency situation hub to coordinate relief efforts and assist victims.
Senior Advocate of Nigeria Niyi Akintola reported damage to his hotel in the blast and highlighted the destruction of other notable properties in the vicinity.
