….as FEC sets up committee to review laws on explosives
Following the unfortunate incident caused by the explosives of the illegal miners, President Bola Ahmed Tinubu, on Wednesday, vowed to arrest the perpetrators of the illegal miners in Ibadan, Oyo State.
The Informant247 reports that no fewer than two people have been confirmed dead, while 77 others were injured on Tuesday night in the explosion that occurred in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, confirmed this during his visit to the explosion scene, adding that the blast occurred at Adeyi Avenue, Bodija, and was caused by illegal miners occupying one of the houses in Bodija
Meanwhile, Tinubu, in a statement by his spokesperson, Ajuri Ngelale, said, “It is worrisome that the cause of the blast is being attributed to the activities of illegal miners. Those behind the inexcusable and reckless behaviour that has created the conditions for the sad incident to occur must be fished out and punished.”
Tinubu, while expressing sadness over the devastating explosion, commiserated with the government and people of Oyo State while calling on all concerned government agencies to unravel the circumstances that led to the tragedy with alacrity.
President Tinubu directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to work with the Oyo State Government to offer immediate and comprehensive relief to the victims.
FEC sets up committee to review laws on explosives
Meanwhile, a committee has been constituted by the Federal Executive Council (FEC) to review the laws guiding the control of explosives in the country to determine whether they were violated by illegal miners whose activities led to the deadly Tuesday explosion in Ibadan, Oyo State.
According to the Minister of Defence, Mohammed Badaru Abubakar, who disclosed this addressing State House reporters after the first federal cabinet meeting of 2024 presided over by President Bola Ahmed Tinubu at the Council Chambers of the Presidential Villa, Abuja, the council expressed worries about the incident and noted the need to avert future occurrences.
Badaru also stated that despite preliminary investigations suggesting that explosives stored by illegal miners might have been the cause, there was also suspicion in some quarters that it was due to gas, adding that the federal agents were now on the ground at the scene of the incident to ascertain the cause and ways to prevent future occurrences.
“The first question has to do with the Ibadan explosion, where the governor said that preliminary investigation suggested that there are some explosives around the area where it happened that are owned by some illegal miners.
“Well, we have seen that report. There is another report suggesting that it was a gas explosion. So, our team are there trying to find out what is the cause.
“But for the council to be proactive, it has already set up the committee that I told you to look into how the control of explosives law was broken if, indeed, there are explosives around the area where this incident happened.
“That was why the committee was set up to look at the rules to see where the chain is broken and see how it can be fixed and gather more information if this is happening rampantly around the country.
“You all know that there is strict rule in the storage, movement and ownership of these explosives, and the rules is being monitored. If there is any case of breakdown, we will find out and deal with it,” he said.
The story so far
No fewer than two people have been confirmed dead, while 77 others were injured on Tuesday night in the explosion that occurred in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.
The Oyo State Governor, Seyi 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.