Governor Seyi Makinde-led Oyo State government on Wednesday said it has identified the company that stored the explosives caused Tuesday night’s explosion on Dejo Oyelese Street, Adeyi Avenue, Old Bodija, Ibadan.
Makinde, while addressing the newsmen at the briefing room of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Agodi, Ibadan, promised to bring the culprits to justice.
“Those who brought this tragedy on Oyo State will be brought to book,” he said.
Makinde, while maintaining that it was a trying time for the state and that its people must draw on their strength and resilience and be their brother’s keepers, also called for calm, assuring that the government has been on top of the situation and that it was leaving no stone unturned regarding the search and rescue of victims at the rubble of the incident as well as the welfare of victims and the security of their properties.
A statement by the special adviser (media) to the state governor, Sulaimon Olanrewaju, quoted the Governor to have stated that as part of measures by the government to address the situation, it had set up an Emergency Operation Centre to oversee search and rescue, while promising that search and rescue efforts will continue until all lives in the vicinity of the blast were accounted for, adding that the government has also made provisions with hotels to accommodate victims and those living close to the site of the incident once they can identify themselves.
The governor disclosed that President Bola Tinubu had spoken to him to commiserate with families who lost loved ones to the incident and promised the support of the Federal Government while expressing gratitude to the President for also deploying the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), which he noted was on the ground at the scene of the explosion.
The governor recounted that so far, there were three deaths from the incident and that the number of the injured was about 77.
He warned residents to be wary of spreading fake figures and misinformation regarding the fatalities and the number of casualties.
Ahead of the press conference, the governor visited some victims of the incidents at different hotels around Bodija, Idi Ape and Ikolaba, where the state government is providing accommodation and feeding for them.
“Since yesterday, our security agencies, first responders, emergency services and all other relevant agencies have been working diligently as they carry out search and rescue operations.
“Just this morning, another individual was recovered from the rubble. I want to assure you that the search and rescue operation will continue until all lives within the vicinity of the blast are accounted for,” the governor said.
Mr Makinde said the state government was aware that aside from the immediate perimeter of the incident, people as far as 25km away may have been affected physically or psychologically.
He said the government set up the Emergency Operation Centre, headed by Temitope Alonge, to coordinate all search and rescue efforts.
“I would like to appeal to our people to remain calm as we do everything to provide succour to everyone concerned. Some numbers have been provided to reach out to the Emergency Operation Centre.
“I know the 615 is operational, but there are additional ones: 07049948057 and 08147672009. If you have any information regarding any persons who may still be trapped within that perimeter, please call those numbers, and we will respond to you,” he added.
The governor appealed to those staying in houses within 250 metres of ground zero to move out to government-provided accommodation until a structural integrity test was conducted.
The Governor also warned individuals who might be planning to take advantage of the incident to perpetrate crimes, saying that security agents would deal decisively with them while also promising that the state would continue to provide regular updates regarding the actions it is taking through the EMO and its various back channels on and off social media.
While addressing journalists, the Head of Emergency Operations, Alonge, said an emergency response to the incident was to set up a team of about 40 doctors, 40 nurses and 25 medical students at the University College Hospital, Ibadan, adding that victims that were injured were receiving medical attention in private and government hospitals and that most of them were in stable condition.
“Aside from doctors and nurses, we have added to our team physiotherapists and clinical psychologists, and they were on the ground yesterday to assess the psychological state of the survivors of this unfortunate incident,” Mr Alonge said.
The story so far
The Informant247 reports that the Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde had earlier confirmed the death of no fewer than two people, while 77 others were injured on Tuesday night in the explosion that occurred in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
Makinde confirmed this during his visit to the explosion scene, adding that the blast occurred at Adeyi Avenue, Bodija. However, it was heard and felt in many parts of the city.
Governor Makinde also confirmed that the preliminary investigations by the security agencies revealed that the blast was caused by illegal miners occupying one of the houses in Bodija, adding that he had directed medical bills of all victims of the explosion be covered by the government with a temporary accommodation provided for those whose houses were affected by the explosion.
He said, ‘‘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. The investigations are ongoing. All those found culpable for this will be brought to book.”
‘‘We visited the scene of the explosion, which occurred at about 7.44 pm yesterday, 16 January 2024, in Bodija, Ibadan. This unfortunate incident resulted in death and injury to residents in the vicinity and also affected properties,” Mr Makinde said late on Tuesday. “We have already deployed first responders and all relevant agencies within Oyo State to carry out comprehensive search and rescue operations. These operations will continue throughout the night.
‘‘Earth moving equipment, ambulances, emergency lights, and security were deployed to the scene of the incident. The wounded and injured are being treated and moved to public and private hospitals within Ibadan. Medical personnel are on standby at these hospitals to provide all needed assistance to the injured. We have visited UCH to see some of those injured during the incident.
‘‘In total, we have 77 injured victims so far, most of whom were treated and discharged and two fatalities. May their souls rest in peace, and may God give their loved ones the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.
‘‘I have directed that the medical bills of all victims be covered by the government. We will also be providing temporary accommodation for those whose houses were affected and ensuring that they are supported to rebuild their lives.”
The Oyo governor urged residents to “call 615 for any emergencies they may be experiencing at this time and to remain calm and stay away from the immediate scene of the incident to allow rescue operations to be carried out without interference.”
‘‘We are grateful to the first responders, security personnel and all those who are at the scene to assist with the rescue operations as well as the medical personnel taking care of the injured. Please say a prayer for those who have been affected by this disaster as we continue with the rescue operations,” he said.
Many houses were damaged in the explosion, several kilometres from where the blast occurred.