Tag: Oyo State

Oyo State has drawn the curtain on the search-and-rescue operation at the site of Tuesday’s explosion in the state capital, Gov. Seyi Makinde announced on Sunday in Ibadan.

At least five persons were killed, while 77 others were injured when the explosion occurred at Bodija, a residential area of Ibadan.

The impact of the explosion was said to have been felt as far away as 15km from the scene of the blast.

The explosion affected some structures at the state government secretariat and many other structures in the adjoining areas.

It also destroyed at least 10 cars and left about 30 houses at different stages of destruction in its track.

Oyo State government is interrogating a suggestion that the blast arose from explosives stored in Bodija by illegal miners.

Gov. Makinde stated on Sunday that 90 per cent of those injured in the explosion had been discharged from various hospitals.

He added that the state’s emergency operations teams headed by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, were at two of the hospitals attending to victims, up until Saturday.

He stated also that a clinical psychologist had begun counselling victims of the incident at the emergency operations centre located at the Oyo State Housing Corporation, Bodija, Ibadan.

Makinde said security agencies were still investigating the incident and an update on their investigation would be made public.

“Our administration remains committed to supporting all victims of this unfortunate incident and ensuring that everyone responsible is brought to book,’’ the governor assured.

He expressed gratitude to Gov. Babajide Sanwo-Olu of Lagos State for releasing operatives of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency to support Oyo State.

“Let me seize this opportunity to thank the Nigerian Society of Engineers that had been carrying out structural integrity tests on about 230 properties around the site of the explosion.

“The integrity tests will be carried out on 13 houses within 50 metres radius of the blast site and on 40 houses within 100 metres radius.

“Similar tests will be conducted on 122 houses at 200 metres radius and 53 houses within 250 metres radius of the explosion,’’ the governor stated.

Makinde enjoined concerned citizens to contact the Emergency Operations Centre on 07049948057 or 08147672009 on any issue related to the blast.

Ibadan Prince donates relief materials to victims of explosion

One of the Princes of Ibadanland, Prince Abioye Oloyede-Asanke, on Sunday donated relief materials to victims of Tuesday’s explosion which occurred at Bodija Estate in Ibadan.

Oloyede-Asanke, while speaking during the presentation of the relief materials at the explosion’s Emergency Situation Hub, said the gesture was to identify with the victims at this critical period.

He added that the relief materials would also complement efforts by the state government to provide succour to victims and relatives of the unfortunate incident.

“I am here to sympathise with the victims of the unfortunate Bodija explosion and to also provide some relief materials and aid to the victims.

“It is so unfortunate that this kind of ugly incident could have been avoided. So, I am here on behalf of my foundation, Handalat Oloyede Foundation, to join hands with the government.

“I want to promise that we have a lot of  assistance to render to the victims, and also assist government in providing succour at this critical time.

“The foundation will reach out to as many as possible through the provision of relief materials, accommodation and through other means,” Oloyede-Asanke said.

Also, the Incident Manager, Ibadan Explosion Site, Prof. Temitope Alonge, disclosed that the Oyo state government was already in collaboration with the Nigerian Society of Engineers (NSE) on the explosion.

He said they have started structural integrity test on the buildings affected by the explosion.

Alonge noted that the Oyo State Chapter of NSE began the integrity assessment of affected structures on Wednesday and had so far covered about 50 metres radius.

He added that Gov. Seyi Makinde has also granted permission to the NSE to go up to 500 metres buffer to assess the level of damages and integrity of the structures.

“We don’t want people to come in and build. We do not want buildings to start collapsing on them,” Alonge said.

The explosion which occurred on Tuesday killed five persons, injured 77 and rendered thousands homeless in the state.

The relief materials donated by Oloyede-Asanke included milk, noodles, tea, toiletries, food items and other essential household materials.

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.

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.