Following the explosion that rocked some parts of Ibadan, the Oyo state capital, on Tuesday night, the pan-Yoruba socio-political organisation, Afenifere, has tasked the Federal Government to support victims of the explosion, News About Nigeria reports.
The explosion that rocked Dejo Oyelese Street in the Bodija area of Ibadan caused panic across the state and the nation at large, as people were not able to decipher the cause of the incident.
According to reports, as of Wednesday, the explosion has claimed the lives of two people, while 77 others were left injured and have been hospitalised.
Following the tragic incident that led to the loss of lives, the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA), disclosed that the explosion was caused by a suspected Improvised Explosive Device (IED), and over 20 houses were affected in the explosion.
The group, while sympathising with the Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde, and the victims and their families, called for a proper investigation to ascertain the real cause of the explosion, so, there won’t be a repetition of the tragedy in the future.
Afenifere, in a statement released by its National Organising Secretary, Kole Omololu, also lamented the fact that illegal mining activities which were said to be the cause of the explosion are now a menace that is responsible for much of the insecurity in some parts of the country.
In the call for assistance for the victims of the explosion, the group tasked the Federal government to as a matter of importance ensure that they come to their aid as many of them, “lost property, loved ones and their means of livelihood.”
Afenifere further urged the federal government to intensify its fight against illegal miners because they are not only eating the nation’s wealth but are also threats to innocent Nigerians.
They further noted that, if the FG can win the war against these illegal miners, it will help to “enrich the country and Nigerians in general rather than end up in private pockets.”
