As residents of Ibadan, the Oyo State Capital count their losses from Tuesday night’s explosion that rocked parts of the ancient city a former deputy governor of Oyo, Barrister Iyiola Oladokun, has narrated his ordeal.
Three persons have been confirmed dead and 77 injured after a blast ripped several buildings at Dejo Oyelese Close, Bodija Housing Estate in Ibadan. Property worth millions of Naira were destroyed in the blowout suspected to have been caused by mining explosives kept in a building in the neighborhood.
“We were just watching the football match when the explosion occurred. All the doors that were closed were forced open,” said Barristar Oladokun
“It was very devastating. All the doors, burglaries, windows and even the roof have gone.
“We give glory to God that me and my wife were not hurt.
“I am just coming back now because we can’t sleep here again. We couldn’t sleep here yesterday. We had to use our phone to move out yesterday. We had to find somewhere to sleep yesterday.”
Security forces cordoned off the area Wednesday morning, while medical personnel and ambulances were on standby as rescue efforts intensified.
Preliminary investigations showed the blast was caused by explosives stored for use in illegal mining operations, Oyo Gov. Seyi Makinde told reporters after visiting the site in the Bodija area of Ibadan.
“We have already deployed first responders and all relevant agencies within Oyo state to carry out comprehensive search and rescue operations,” Makinde said, describing the damage as “devastating.”
It was not immediately clear who stored the explosives, and no arrest has been announced. “The investigations are ongoing (and) all those found culpable for this will be brought to book,” Gov. Makinde said.
