Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State, recently witnessed a tragic incident that shook its residents to the core.
On Tuesday night, a massive explosion occurred at Adeyi Avenue, Bodija, leading to the loss of two lives and leaving approximately 77 individuals injured.
The aftermath of the blast, estimated to be worth billions of naira, unfolded as images and videos of the damages flooded social media.
Areas Affected
The impact of the explosion was not confined to Bodija alone; its waves reverberated through neighboring areas such as Agbowo, Eleyele, Orogun, Ologuneru, Eleyele, and Apete.
The blast reached the School of Nursing hostel at the University College Hospital (UCH) and left a mark on the State Secretariat, affecting prominent buildings like the Governor’s Office, Water Corporation Building, State Secretariat Chapel, State Secretariat Central Mosque, Revenue House, and the Local Government Staff Training School.
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Prominent Personalities Affected
Chief Bola Ige, the late Attorney-General and Minister of Justice of the federation, was not exempt from the devastation.
His residence was among the houses damaged, underscoring the indiscriminate nature of the incident.
Cause and Oyo Government’s Response
Oyo State Governor, Engr Seyi Makinde, swiftly responded to the incident, attributing it to illegal miners who stored improvised explosive devices (IEDs) in their residences.
Governor Makinde called for calm among residents and launched an immediate investigation into the matter.
He assured the public that emergency workers were on the ground to conduct rescue operations.
Governor Makinde’s Appeal
In a statement, Governor Makinde urged residents to “remain calm and stay away from the immediate scene of the incident.”
“This is to allow rescue operations to be carried out without interference.”
This plea highlights the need for cooperation to facilitate an effective response to the crisis.
NEMA’s Involvement
National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) also weighed in on the situation, acknowledging the difficulty in ascertaining casualty figures but confirming the destruction of over 20 houses.
NEMA emphasized that search and rescue operations were ongoing, demonstrating a collaborative effort to address the aftermath of the tragedy.
What You Should Know
As efforts to rescue and recover continue, Ibadan remains in a state of shock and grief.
The city is grappling with the aftermath of an explosion that has left its mark on both infrastructure and human lives.
The collaborative response from the Oyo State government and NEMA is crucial in restoring normalcy to the affected areas and providing support to the residents affected by this unfortunate incident.
