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Tag: Ibadan

  • Why we want to know real cause of Ibadan explosion – FG

    Why we want to know real cause of Ibadan explosion – FG

    The federal government has insisted on knowing the real cause of the explosion that claimed the lives of 5 persons and left many injured in Ibadan, Oyo State.

    The Minister of Solid Minerals Development, Dr Dele Alake, said this while also disclosing that the FG is awaiting the outcome of the forensic investigation into the explosion, which occurred on Jan.16.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports Alake to have said this will enable the government to determine its next action.

    No fewer than five persons were reported killed, 77 injured and 58 buildings damaged by the explosion.

    Alake said that the investigation would help in revealing the remote cause of the explosion, and guide the Federal Government on its next line of action.

    He disclosed this in a statement issued by his Special Assistant on Media, Segun Tomori on Sunday in Abuja.

    “The Federal Government is now waiting for the outcome of forensic investigations that will determine the real cause of the blast, the explosives type that triggered it and the circumstances leading to the unfortunate incident that led to loss of lives and property.

    The minister had announced on Jan. 17, that he had directed Mine Inspectorate Officers on the site of the explosion to collaborate with Oyo State Government and join ongoing investigations to find out its remote causes.

    “We have ordered detailed investigation and our officers will work and collaborate with the Oyo State to know the actual cause.

    “If the explosion was caused by mining explosive devices as earlier reported, the ministry will double efforts to tighten the noose around those acquiring explosives and storing them illegally,“ he said.

    According to the statement, the mine officers have been deployed to join other security agencies to unravel the cause of the explosion.

    He assured Nigerians of the government`s determination to take appropriate actions regarding the situation, hence its resolve to await the outcome before making a definite pronouncement.

    He urged Nigerians to allow security agencies and other relevant officers to carry out their assignments.

    He added that sensitive situations such as the explosion could lead to speculations due to lack of necessary information, hence the need to wait for the investigations outcome.

    He added that the investigation was aimed at preventing recurrence, adding that it would help in bringing the culprits to book.

    President Bola Tinubu had, on Jan.17, set up an inter-ministerial committee on  insecurity hampering the growth of Nigeria’s natural resources.

    The committee will deliberate on modalities in producing a blue print to secure Nigeria`s natural resources.

  • Ibadan explosion’s death toll increases to 5

    Ibadan explosion’s death toll increases to 5

    The number of those who died from the explosion which occurred at the Bodija area of Ibadan on Tuesday evening has increased to five, an official disclosed on Thursday.

    Prof. Temitope Alonge, who heads the Emergency Operations Centre for the evacuation and rescue of the explosion’s victims, disclosed this while speaking with newsmen in Ibadan.

    Alonge said two corpses were recovered from the rumbles between Wednesday night and Thursday morning.

    He said this was in addition to the three recovered between Tuesday night and Wednesday afternoon.

    Alonge however assured that rescue operations were still on as directed by Mr Seyi Makinde, the governor of the state, to ensure that everyone was accounted for.

    “The state government will continue to monitor and respond to the situation, as investigations into the cause of the explosion are ongoing,” he said.

    Recall that Gov. Makinde had on Tuesday and later on Wednesday urged residents of Oyo State to remain calm over the incident.

    He has implored residents staying in any of the houses within 250 metres from the scene of the explosion to move out to accommodation provided by government.

    “This is until we check the structural integrity of the buildings,” the governor had said.

    He equally warned hoodlums who may want to take advantage of the incident to carry out any form of looting to desist.

    Gov. Makinde stated further that all those involved directly or indirectly in bringing the tragedy upon the state would be brought to book.

  • Kalu saddened by Ibadan explosion, wants through probe of incident

    Kalu saddened by Ibadan explosion, wants through probe of incident

    Deputy Speaker of the House of Representatives, Hon. Benjamin Okezie Kalu has expressed sadness over the explosion that occurred in the ancient city of Ibadan, Oyo State recently.

    The Deputy Speaker in a statement described the occurrence that reportedly claimed 2 lives, injured many and destroyed properties worth million of naira as “regrettable”.

    While commiserating with the families of the dead, the government and the entire people of Oyo State over the losses, Kalu called for a thorough investigation to unravel the circumstances that led to the explosion to forestall future happenings.

    The Deputy Speaker is of the opinion that those found culpable should be brought to justice if ascertained that the explosion was artificially created.

    He said that the House of Representatives also known as the House of the People will launch a full scale probe into the matter upon resumption of the plenary session to ensure that justice would be given to the dead and other victims alive.

    Signed:

    Levinus Nwabughiogu, Chief Press Secretary to the Deputy Speaker, House of Representatives, Federal Republic of Nigeria.

  • Dele Alake orders mining officers to investigate Ibadan explosion

    Dele Alake orders mining officers to investigate Ibadan explosion

    The Minister of Solid Minerals and Development, Dr Dele Alake has directed Mine Officers of the ministry to investigate the Tuesday night explosion in Ibadan, Oyo State, to help unravel the cause.

    Alake gave the directive on Wednesday in Abuja.

    “I have directed the ministry’s mine officers who are already on site in Ibadan to join ongoing investigations to find out the immediate and remote causes of the explosion.

    “We have ordered detailed investigation and our officers will work and collaborate with the  Oyo state government to know the actual cause.

    “If the explosion was caused by mining explosives devices as earlier reported, the ministry will double its efforts to tighten the noose around those acquiring explosives and storing them illegally,” he said.

    The minister’s directives followed reports that the explosion was allegedly traceable to the denotation of explosive devices stored by illegal miners.

    Gov. Seyi Makinde of Oyo state announced that no fewer than three people were reported dead and 77 people injured in the blast.

    Also 58 buildings were reported damaged by the explosion.

    The minister commiserated with Makinde and the people of Oyo over the incident.

    He commended the governor for the rapid mobilisation of emergency response, while urging residents to be safety conscious and report persons or organisations endangering public health and security.

  • Ibadan explosion: Illegal miners must be fished out – Tinubu

    Ibadan explosion: Illegal miners must be fished out – Tinubu

    President Bola Tinubu has expressed sadness over the devastating explosion that occurred on Tuesday night in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital.

    The explosion killed two persons and wounded about 80 others. It also destroyed several buildings, vehicles, and other properties.

    “It is worrisome that the cause of the blast is being attributed to the activities of illegal miners.

    “Those behind the inexcusable and reckless behaviour that has created the conditions for the sad incident to occur must be fished out and punished,” Tinubu said.

    The President commiserated with the government and people of Oyo State and called on all concerned agencies of government to unravel the circumstances that led to the tragedy with alacrity.

    The President also directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to work with the Oyo State Government to offer immediate and comprehensive relief to the victims.

  • Ibadan explosion: Victims narrate harrowing experience

    Ibadan explosion: Victims narrate harrowing experience

    Some of the victims affected by Tuesday’s tragic explosion that occurred in the Bodija area of Ibadan have recalled their ordeals, describing it as surreal and traumatic.

    The explosion occured at 7.30 p.m. at Dejo Oyelese Street in Old Bodija in Ibadan with yet to be ascertained number of deaths and over 77 people injured.

    Some of the victims expressed their experiences in separate interviews with the NAN on Wednesday at the Emergency Unit of the University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

    Idowu Fagbemi, 15, said that the incident was still to him as though a dream.

    Fagbemi, who could barely speak due to the shock, said he ran out of the house immediately he heard the sound of the explosion.

    “I was in the house when we heard something like a bomb blast, so I started running and later found myself in the hospital this morning,” he said.

    His mother, Mrs Fagbemi, said that her son sustained a injury on the head in the process of running for his life.

    The upset mother said that her husband, who was also in the house with their son at the time of the explosion, was yet to be found.

    “We thank God for Idowu’s life while we trust Him to also allow us to see his father alive,” she said.

    Another woman, who simply gave her first name as Florence, said her mother was a victim and was presently receiving treatment at the emergency unit.

    “I don’t just have the strength to talk now because we have been at the emergency unit since yesterday night.

    “Our mummy is still alive and we pray that God heals her speedily,” she said.

    Another relation at the hospital, who didn’t give his name, said he was frustrated as his brother, who was in the house where the explosion occurred, was yet to be found.

    “I don’t just know what to do now because we don’t even know whether he is alive or dead,” he said.

    Meanwhile, UCH, in a statement issued on Wednesday by its Public Relations Officer, Mrs Funmi Adetuyibi,  said all medical personnel have been placed on alert to provide healthcare support for victims of the explosion.

    Adetuyibi said that the hospital has mobilised its resources to meet the urgent healthcare needs of the victims of the unfortunate incident.

    According to her, the Chief Medical Director, Prof. Jesse Otegbayo, has called for a galvanised coordination of its personnel, made up of doctors, nurses, laboratory scientists, student doctors and nurses, clinical and non-clinical staff.

    “A trauma response team has been activated to implement comprehensive measures to ensure that every patient receives prompt and compassionate care.

    “Medical staff, including trauma surgeons, emergency room physicians, nurses, and other personnel have been working around the clock to stabilise and treat the injured.

    “As part of its commitment to transparency, the University College Hospital is continuously communicating with relevant authorities and providing regular updates to the public.

    “The hospital remains focused on delivering high-quality medical care to those affected by this tragic event,” Adetuyibi said.

    Meanwhile, of the 12 victims received by the hospital, the statement says one was brought in dead.

    “Unfortunately, too, the hospital had a lot of its facilities damaged by the effects of the blast.

    “The affected facilities include the Medical Museum, School of Nursing, Molecular Laboratory, Bulk Store, Ogunlesi Hall, and Hospital Clinics, among others, she said.

  • How Ibadan explosion started – Survivor

    How Ibadan explosion started – Survivor

    A survivor has given an account of how the explosion at Dejo Oyeleye Street, Adeyi Avenue, in Bodija area of Ibadan, Oyo State, started.

    TheNewsGuru.com (TNG) reports the survivor, who gave her name as Mrs Damilola Ologbese, said the explosion occurred as a result of fire from a generator.

    Mrs Ologbese disclosed that the burning generator was stationed beside a vehicle filled with mining equipment.

    She further disclosed that her gateman and dog were seriously injured by the explosion.

    Some residents of the Old Bodija Estate in Ibadan, affected by Tuesday’s bomb explosion, linked the incident to the inordinate sales and transfer of properties to strangers without security checks.

    The residents made the allegation in separate interviews with NAN in Ibadan on Wednesday.

    They alleged that the quest for money without security considerations among some landlords’ children within the estate had led to the sale of some houses to foreigners who were mainly illegal miners.

    One of the residents, Mrs Cecilia Adeleke, said that businesses, mini-companies, hotels, bars and lounges have filtered the estate without coordination from estate management as against what was obtainable in the estate before now.

    Adeleke alleged that most new occupants of the transferred properties were foreigners who came to the country to run illegal businesses.

    “Some of the landlords have relocated abroad and their children are selling their houses anyhow to strangers.

    “The way houses at Bodija estate are sold indiscriminately to foreigners negate what is obtainable when we were growing here as children,” she said.

    “During our childhood days, residents were not allowed to sell beer, even food sellers were not allowed to move anyhow but now hotels are erected anyhow in the estate,” she said.

    Another resident, Mr Joshua Alabi, a civil servant, called on the Oyo State Government to review the law of acquisition and transfer of properties within the estate.

    He urged the state emergency management agency, the Red Cross and other care organisations to urgently provide first aid support to victims as many of them do not have a place to keep their goods.

  • See rare aerial photos showing devastating nature of Ibadan explosion

    See rare aerial photos showing devastating nature of Ibadan explosion

    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:

    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.

  • Ibadan explosion: 15 rescued as operations continue

    Ibadan explosion: 15 rescued as operations continue

    No fewer than 15 people have been removed from under the rubble during the ongoing rescue operations at the scene of Tuesday’s explosion at Bodija area of Ibadan.

    The Branch Secretary, Nigerian Red Cross, Oyo State branch, Mr Olaleye Ojo, stated this in Ibadan on Wednesday.

    He noted that the operation was jointly carried out by various agencies, including Red Cross, NEMA, SEMA and security agencies.

    Ojo said that rescue operation commenced in the early hours of Wednesday.

    According to him, they official have been attending to people and taking them to various hospitals.

    “Rescue operations are still ongoing and we are trying to gather more information on the residents of the area.

    “We cannot specifically say when the operation will be over,” Ojo said.

    He stated that about 30 buildings were destroyed by the explosion.

    Ojo stated that the injured people were taken to nearby hospitals, as government had made provision for them not to be rejected.

    “Hospitals have been complying with government’s directives to accept victims of the explosion and give them adequate treatment,” he said.

     

  • Ibadan explosion wreaks havoc at Oyo govt secretariat

    Ibadan explosion wreaks havoc at Oyo govt secretariat

    The explosion, which occurred at Bodija area of Ibadan on Tuesday evening, destroyed some office buildings and other structures within the State Secretariat Complex in Agodi.

    A correspondent, who visited some of the ministries and parastatals within the secretariat on Wednesday, reports that the impacts of the explosive were severe on some buildings.

    Some of the affected offices included: Water Corporation building, which houses two ministries; the Revenue Building and the newly-built Local Government Service Commission building.

    Others were: Local Government Staff Training School, some parts of the Governor’s Office, the State Secretariat Central Mosque and the Secretariat Chapel.

    Shattered window glasses and doors, collapsed ceilings were observed, with some pieces of office equipment, such as computer systems littering the offices.

    Some staffers of the affected offices were also seen in front of their offices discussing the incident, which they described as devastating.

    A civil servant, who simply identified himself as Jide, said the incident was unfortunate, but gave glory to God that it happened after the close of work.

    He said that it would have been worse if it had happened during work hours, saying many members of staff would have been trapped.

    Meanwhile, the Oyo State Government has set up an Emergency Situation Room for the Bodija explosion, led by Prof. Temitope Alonge, a former Chief Medical Director (CMD) of University College Hospital (UCH), Ibadan.

    The situation room is charged with the responsibility of coordinating the ongoing response to the incident.

    As of the time of filing this report, rescue operations were ongoing at the scene, with officials of the State Emergency Management Agency (OSEMA) on ground.

    In addition, officials of the Red Cross and National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) were observed rendering humanitarian services.