A devastating explosion rocked the city of Ibadan on Tuesday, leaving a trail of destruction, casualties, and unanswered questions. Alhaji Mohammed Musa, a survivor residing near the epicenter, pointed to foreign nationals involved in illegal mining as the culprits behind the blast. Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, corroborated this claim, attributing the explosion to explosives stored by these illicit miners. President Bola Tinubu has directed security agencies to thoroughly investigate and bring those responsible to justice.
Although the official death toll remains unannounced, Vanguard learned that at least three individuals lost their lives in the explosion. The site of the incident was a hive of activity, with rescue teams retrieving a body from the rubble and rushing an injured survivor to an ambulance.
The explosion, occurring around 7:44 pm on Tuesday, plunged different parts of Ibadan into chaos. Alhaji Musa, who was injured in the blast, recounted the events leading up to the explosion. He had been attempting to extinguish a fire in a neighboring house when the explosion occurred. Musa revealed that the house, occupied by foreigners suspected to be either Senegalese or Namibians, contained explosives used for mining. These foreigners, known for their mining activities since 2013, had evacuated the premises without warning others, aware of the impending danger.
Among the survivors was Adeleke, who tragically lost his brother, Oladipupo, in the blast. Oladipupo suffered a severe abdominal injury and succumbed to his wounds at Adeoyo General Hospital. Olaitan Okanlawon, another survivor, detailed the harrowing experience of the explosion, which damaged her home.
The late Attorney-General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige’s residence, located just two streets away from the epicenter, suffered significant damage. His son, Mr. Muyiwa Ige, described the extent of the destruction and called for accountability, especially if the explosion resulted from illegal mining activities.
The blast led to the temporary closure of nearby schools, including Barakat and Educational Advancement Centre, as students were turned away for safety reasons. Furthermore, the explosion’s shockwaves reached the State Secretariat at Agodi, Ibadan, damaging various governmental buildings, including the governor’s office and other ministries.
Governor Makinde, after surveying the damage, confirmed that illegal mining activities and stored explosives were the primary causes of the blast. He reported 77 injuries and two fatalities, with an additional death confirmed later. Makinde emphasized ongoing rescue operations and medical support for the injured.
The governor also mentioned that preliminary investigations implicated foreign nationals and a mining company in the disaster. He vowed to hold those responsible accountable and announced government support for medical expenses and temporary housing for affected residents.
President Tinubu expressed concern over the explosion’s link to illegal mining. He urged NEMA to collaborate with the Oyo State government in providing relief to victims. The Federal Executive Council, led by President Tinubu, established a committee to review explosives control laws, indicating possible legal breaches by the illegal miners.
Solid Minerals Development Minister, Dr. Dele Alake, promised a thorough investigation into the incident and stricter control over explosive acquisitions.
Governors from Lagos, Ogun, and Osun states, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, Dapo Abiodun, and Ademola Adeleke, respectively, expressed their condolences and solidarity with the people of Oyo State. They emphasized the importance of support during the recovery and rebuilding efforts.
The Ibadan explosion, with its tragic loss of life and extensive property damage, has raised serious concerns about illegal mining activities and the handling of explosives. As investigations continue, the focus remains on providing aid to the affected and preventing similar incidents in the future.
