Residents of Ibadan, Oyo State, expressed panic on Tuesday as reports surfaced of an explosion in parts of the state capital. Online videos showed a dusty cloud, along with burning houses and cars.
A University of Ibadan student confirmed the incident, stating, “We all heard the sound, and it was very loud. The cloud is cloudy with smoke. It happened at Bodija, and we in the UI area could see the smoke. Even those at Sango and Ojo heard the sound. In fact, we are all in a room scared for our lives.”
An X user, @WillieWinehouse, tweeted, “A f***ing bomb just exploded in Ibadan! My entire house and street are in ruins!! What is going on!!”
The state government, has, however confirmed the explosion.
The state Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Dotun Oyelade, in a statement said, “Residents of Ibadan and immediate environ experienced an uncommon explosion about 8pm this evening.
“There are various interpretations of the incident but it is important for us to state categorically that the state government has taken over and in the full control of the unfortunate occurrence in order to mitigate the incident.
“All security service chiefs including para military chiefs and Fire Operatives have been deployed by the governor to Reign in the spillover from the explosion.
“His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, therefore implores citizens to calm down and be rest assured that their interests are being looked after.”
“I thought I was dead,” survivors recount near-death experience as explosion rocks Ibadan
Survivors of the explosion that occurred at Dejo Oyelese Street, Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State on Tuesday claimed that dynamite used by miners triggered the explosion which led to loss of lives and property in the community.
One of the survivors identified only as Alhaji Mohammed said, “When the spark started, it was from the electricals and I brought out my fire extinguisher trying to help. My neighbour told me that it had passed an extinguisher and we needed to call the fire service. I told my son to bring my phone for me to call the fire service before the fire touched dynamite brought home by some miners in the building.
“The explosion threw me away and I thought I was dead. My children and wife are currently at the hospital receiving treatment.”
Another survivor who identified himself as Olaide, noted that they were called out to help douse a fire when the dynamite exploded.
He said, “We didn’t know that they brought anything home. We were only trying to help when we fell. I didn’t know when I woke up. I just found myself lying on the floor. It was scary.”
Lives, property lost
Our correspondent who was at the scene of the explosion saw fewer than 20 victims being rescued while some were dead.
However, the total number of casualties remained unknown as of reason time.
Not less than 20 houses were affected in the explosion and at least 10 houses were completely damaged.
Our correspondent counted at least 15 vehicles that were completely damaged and more than five cars partly destroyed.
Search and rescue operations ongoing
As of press time, a rescue operation was still ongoing at the site of the explosion.
Rescue workers believed that some persons were still trapped under the rubble and efforts were ongoing to rescue them.
Officials of the Explosive Ordnance Disposal team are investigating to confirm the type of explosive that triggered the explosion.
Oyo gov, police react
The deputy governor of Oyo State, Bayo Lawal, arrived at the scene of the explosion around 11pm on Tuesday and called for calm.
He said, “We have to be calm. Let us allow the experts to do their job and we should please move away from the site because we don’t know if there can be another secondary explosion.”
The state government had earlier called for calm in a statement released by the Commissioner for Information, Dotun Oyelade.
The statement partly read, “Residents of Ibadan and immediate environ experienced an uncommon explosion about 8pm this evening.
“There are various interpretations of the incident but we need to state categorically that the state government has taken over and is in full control of the unfortunate occurrence to mitigate the incident.
“All security service chiefs including paramilitary chiefs and fire operatives have been deployed by the governor to rein in the spillover from the explosion.
“His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, therefore implores citizens to calm down and be rest assured that their interests are being looked after.”
The state Police PRO, Adewale Osifeso, told our correspondent that the police command is working with other agencies to get the exact number of casualties from the incident.
He said, “This doesn’t involve the police alone, we are working with emergency services and other agencies. Immediately there’s an update, we are going to brief you.”
10 die, rescue workers intensify search for survivors
At least 10 persons have died following Tuesday night explosion, which occurred at Adeyi Avenue of Bodija Estate in Ibadan, Oyo State capital.
This is even as rescue operations were ongoing at the site of the incident.
Our correspondent reports that bodies of the dead victims have been recovered from the site and taken away in ambulances.
As at the time of this report by 11pm on Tuesday night, rescue workers intensified their operations to retrieve persons believed to be trapped under the rubbles of the collapsed structures as a result of the explosion.
There was no official statement yet regarding the cause of the explosion and extent of its impact, which reverberated across the Bodija area of Ibadan city.
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