In response to Tuesday’s explosion in Ibadan, the Oyo State Government has set up a Situation Hub within the State Housing Corporation premises, near Bodija Islamic Centre, Ibadan, News About Nigeria reports.
The establishment of the Situation Hub aims to centralise information and support for victims, residents, and landlords affected by the blast.
Fatai Owoseni, the Special Adviser to the Governor on Security Matters, disclosed this development on Wednesday while addressing reporters at the scene of the explosion.
He urged victims and stakeholders to visit the hub and provide the government with useful information regarding the incident.
Owoseni mentioned that the government has deployed disaster management experts to the hub to address various situations that may arise.
However, he stated that a proper assessment and evaluation of the situation are challenging at the moment, as rescue operations are still ongoing.
“We cannot do a proper assessment for now. Rescue operations are, however, still ongoing, as victims, landlords, and tenants of the estates are still picking their pieces from their houses. We can’t talk to them now for any assessment and evaluation,” Owoseni stated.
The Special Adviser also cautioned about potential secondary explosions, urging people without essential duties at the scene to move away to prevent further loss of life.
He noted the security threats posed by some people trying to steal property from the area.
“We cannot say whether there will be a secondary explosion. Therefore, people should stay away from the scene so that, if we have any, we will not lose more lives,” he advised.
Governor Seyi Makinde had earlier confirmed that 77 people sustained injuries in the explosion, with two fatalities.
Injured victims were taken to public and private hospitals in Ibadan, and after receiving treatment, many have been discharged.
Preliminary investigations indicated that illegal miners stored explosive devices, leading to the blast.
Governor Makinde assured that medical personnel are on standby to provide necessary assistance, and efforts are ongoing to prevent similar incidents in the future through vigilance and collaboration.
