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The explosion that occurred on Tuesday evening at Bodija area of Ibadan metropolis, Oyo State, has thrown residents into panic.
A loud bang was heard, with its attendant vibration felt in several locations in Ibadan at about 7:45 p.m. on Tuesday night.
No fewer than three persons were said to have died and 77 injured, with some of the victims being treated at University College Hospital (UCH) and other private health facilities across the city.
The incident occurred precisely at Dejo Oyeleye Street, Adeyi Avenue, in Bodija area of the City.
Aerial footages of the area circulating on social media have shown the devastating nature of the explosion, the actual cause of which is yet to be ascertained.
See rare aerial footages of Ibadan explosion site below:
More video update from Ibadan
pic.twitter.com/6hz9nJtS6M— Instablog9ja (@instablog9ja) January 17, 2024
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TNG reports communities across Nigeria have grappled with devastating events over the last 24 hours.
From the explosion in Ibadan, which claimed lives, injured many, and buried property; to the unfortunate fire outbreak in Ilorin South LGA of Kwara State, many people’s lives and livelihoods have been destroyed.
To the news of a market fire on Lagos-Asaba road, Agbor; the supermarket fire in the Gwarimpa area of Abuja; to the reports of a fire in Karmo market, also in Abuja — news of one tragedy after another has barely given time to grieve for the previous one.
Oyo State sets up emergency situation hub on Ibadan explosion
Meanwhile, Oyo State government has set up an emergency situation hub to collate and coordinate information about management of victims of Tuesday’s explosion in the state capital.
No fewer than three persons were reported to have died and 77 others injured when the explosion occurred at Bodija area of Ibadan.
Its impact was said to have been felt as far away as 15km from the scene of the explosion.
Commissioner for Information and Civic Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, stated on Wednesday in Ibadan that the deputy governor, Mr Bayo Lawal, was appointed to head the situation hub.
He urged victims of the explosion to submit verifiable evidences of their losses and seek clarifications on the nature of government’s intervention.
Oyelade added that temporary accommodation had been organised by the government for those displaced by the explosion.
He stated also that the state government would finance the hospital bills of those injured.
The commissioner confirmed that many victims had started registering at the hub and were being guided by emergency and disaster experts.
“As security agencies continue investigations, the state government is narrowing down on the possible cause of the explosion.
“As a result of new evidences, government is interrogating certain leads that suggest storage of explosives by illegal miners residing in the Bodija area of the state capital where the explosion occurred,’’ Oyelade stated.
He confirmed that the explosion affected some structures at the government secretariat.
Twelve of the victims had been taken to Redeemer’s Health Centre in Ibadan. Six of them were treated and discharged. Four others were still receiving treatment as at the time of this report.
Two others who were in critical condition were transferred to the University College Hospital, Ibadan for further treatment.
The explosion destroyed at least 10 cars and left about 30 houses at different stages of destruction.