The Governor of Oyo State, Seyi Makinde, has revealed that the explosion that rocked the Bodija area of Ibadan on Tuesday was caused by explosives that were stored by illegal miners in the state, News About Nigeria reports.
The governor made this disclosure on Wednesday after visiting the scene of the explosion, stating that all culprits will be found and punished.
He noted that preliminary investigations by security agencies in the state revealed that the explosive devices that caused the blast had been stored by illegal miners occupying one of the houses in Bodija.
Makinde also disclosed that 77 people sustained injuries from the explosion and two lost their lives, adding that those who were injured were taken to both public and private hospitals in Ibadan and have been treated and discharged.
“Medical personnel are on standby at these hospitals to provide all needed assistance to the injured. We have visited UCH to see some of those injured during the incident,” he said.
He stated that his government would be taking care of the medical bills included and would also provide support to those whose houses were affected to enable them to rebuild.
He, therefore, urged the people to remain calm and stay away from the immediate scene of the incident to allow rescue operations to be carried out without interference.
The explosion that happened on Tuesday night affected a section of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Oyo State House of Assembly, the residence of the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige, some buildings at Ologuneru, Apete, New Garage, Bashorun, Akobo, Sango and Eleyele.
