IBADAN EXPLOSION: FOREIGN ILLEGAL MINERS FLED THE SCENE BEFORE EXPLOSION – SURVIVOR
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According to a survivor of yesterday’s explosion that shook the capital of Oyo State, Ibadan, foreigners involved in illicit mining operations were the source of the blast. They ran out right before the explosion, he continued.
Alhaji Mohammed Musa, the survivor, resided close to the scene of the explosion.
However, the official announcement of the casualty figure is yet to be made, it was gathered that two people died in the explosion, while 77 was injured.
UK returnee dead
Meanwhile, it has come to light that one of the dead was a returnee from the United Kingdom.
The UK returnee is the son of one of the landlords in the Ibadan estate where the explosion happened, according to a widely shared video that gives credit to one Honourable Ayode Jajaye.
He said, “Look at the guy who just died. He just came from the UK about a week ago. He’s a son to a landlord on this estate.
“My conclusion is that the government should investigate this situation. The casualties are too many. Look at the damages. We can’t just look away.
“There are so many collateral damages that have happened.”
However, at the scene of the explosion yesterday, a body was brought out of the rubble and put in a body bag.
Earlier, the Oyo State Government announced that two people died in the unfortunate incident. Also, a survivor who was seriously injured was wheeled into a waiting ambulance.
How I survived – Mohammed
Speaking with reporters at the scene, Mohammed revealed that he was rushed to the hospital and discharged this morning.
He claimed that by offering to assist his neighbor in putting out the fire that started before the explosion, he narrowly avoided death.
Governor Seyi Makinde’s remarks supported his claims that the explosion was caused by illegal foreign miners.
Mohammed described what happened before the explosion, saying, “Around 7 p.m. last night (Tuesday), I was going to pray.
“As I was standing to start the prayer, I noticed some fire burning in the next house. So, I stopped the prayer and quickly picked my fire extinguisher.
“I told my boys that the neighbor’s house is on fire, let’s go and help.
“I then came downstairs. One guy saw me and said the fire was beyond what extinguisher can put out. I then picked my phone to call the fire brigade men.
“The next thing I heard was that blast. It threw me off the ground and landed me on the stairs. Part of the house had cracked. My boys advised that I should jump.
“Fire started just a meter away from that house, and as of the time we came downstairs, there was no one in the premises.
“The house where the fire started is being occupied by a Senagalese or Namibian and they engage in mining activities.
“Definitely, they had explosives inside the building. The explosion was as a result of the explosives kept in the building.
“The foreigners have been living in here since 2013. They go in the morning and come back in the evening. I wouldn’t know if their immediate neighbour knows they are into mining.”
‘The foreigners ran out before explosion’
Furthermore, he clarified that immediately after the foreigners saw the raging fire, they knew the implications because of what they kept inside.
“They including their children ran out of the house and they didn’t alert us so that we can run away too. They knew the implications when they saw the fire, so they ran out without alerting us. Thank God I came down trying to help put out the fire, I would have been dead by now. The whole house would have collapsed on me. I wanted to save the house of my neighbor from being burnt, that’s what saved me. If anyone had been in the house, the person would have gone.”
When asked if he knew his neighbors were illegal miners, he simply said, “We have them all over. They are also at Orogun; that’s their trade and that’s what they came to Nigeria to do, and explosives are part of the things they use in blasting. Definitely, they had kept them in the house.”
“Explosion caused by illegal miners”—Governor Makinde
The Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde also attributed the explosion to explosive devices stored by illegal miners.
He added that two people died in the explosion, which occurred at about 7:44 p.m. on January 16, while about 77 others were injured.
At about 7.44 p.m. on Tuesday, January 16th, a loud explosion was heard in different parts of the state capital, leading to panic and confusion.
In a press release shared on his verified X page on Wednesday morning, Makinde explained that the preliminary investigations revealed that illegal miners stored explosive devices in one of the houses in Bodija, causing the blast.
He said, “We visited the scene of the explosion which occurred at about 7.44 pm yesterday, January 16, 2024 in Bodija, Ibadan. This unfortunate incident resulted in death and injury to residents in the vicinity and also affected properties.”
“We have already deployed first responders and all relevant agencies within Oyo State to carry out comprehensive search and rescue operations. These operations will continue throughout the night.”
“Earth-moving equipment, ambulances, emergency lights, and security were deployed to the scene of the incident. The wounded and injured are being treated and moved to public and private hospitals within Ibadan. 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.
“In total, we have 77 injured victims so far, most of whom were treated and discharged, and two fatalities. May their souls rest in peace, and may God give their loved ones the fortitude to bear this irreparable loss.”
“I have directed that the medical bills of all victims be covered by the government. We will also be providing temporary accommodation for those whose houses were affected and ensuring that they are supported to rebuild their lives.”
“Preliminary investigations by the security agencies revealed that illegal miners occupying one of the houses in Bodija had stored explosive devices there which caused the blast. The investigations are ongoing. All those found culpable for this will be brought to book.”
“I urge all residents to please call 615 for any emergencies they may be experiencing at this time and to remain calm and stay away from the immediate scene of the incident to allow rescue operations to be carried out without interference.”
Governor Makinde sets up emergency situation room
In a statement by the Chief Press Secretary to Governor Makinde, Mr Suleiman Olanrewaju, he noted, “The State Government has set up an Emergency Situation Room for the Bodija Incident, led by Professor Temitope Alonge, to coordinate the ongoing response to the incident.
“Search and rescue efforts at the site of the incident continued overnight. Updates from the Emergency Situation Room will be publicized through official government accounts and media channels. The contact numbers for the Situation Room are 07049948057 and 08147672009.
“Residents are advised to stay away from the site of the incident and call 615 free of charge for emergencies in Oyo State.
Explosion affected late Chief Bola Ige’s residence….”The miners must be brought to book”- Muyiwa Ige
The residence of the late Attorney General and Minister of Justice, Chief Bola Ige which is just two streets away from the epicenter, was also affected.
His son, Architect Muyiwa Bola Ige spoke with reporters and, said, “We thank God for life and for those who survived the unfortunate incident. The effect is that lives were lost. It affected my house; we are just a few meters away from the epicenter, and the gravity led to the damage we have here. We thank God no life is lost here. The blast shattered the windows and roofs.”
“Structurally, the building is intact. I have gone around to do the analysis. Yes, we are hearing that the explosion was caused by some illegal miners.
“That will be grossly unfortunate that someone could keep such dangerous things in the residential area. I have spoken to the leadership of this residents’ association to find out who the persons are. Do they have the inclination of what their activities.
“We should not jump the gun. But it is evident because there is a crater at the epicenter. It’s unacceptable. Glasses were blown out, roof surfaces caved in. If they knew what they had and kept it in a residential area, then they are suicidal.
“We must identify who they are. If they are still alive and some people have died based on the consequences of what they had done, they should be brought to book.”
He said he had to rush back home when a friend told him about the explosion. He noted that he came to rescue the grandchildren of someone close to him.
There were fears that some unexploded bombs could still be at the place. Security officers were warning thousands of people at the scene to move away, as staying there could be risky.
Schools shut down
There were two closed private schools in the area. The Educational Advancement Center and Barakat were locked. When the students returned to resume, their teachers sent them home.
There was gridlock at the scene as a result of the large crowd that was trooping to the scene of the explosion. Security agents had a hectic time controlling the crowd, which was bent on getting a glimpse of the incident. At the spot, the rescue team was working seriously to search to see if there were still victims under the rubble.
According to a reliable source, several children of a popular school that is located in Idi Ishin were injured and taken to the hospital. They use the building opposite the epicenter as a hostel.
The deputy governor of the state, Barrister Bayo Lawa and Senator Sarafadeen Alli, representing Oyo South senatorial districts, were early callers at the scene.
The Commissioner of Police in Oyo State, Mr Adebola Hamzat, soldiers, the Red Cross, the Nigerian Security and Civil Defence Corps, the Directorate of Security Services (DSS), fire brigade men, bomb detectors, and the National Emergency Agency (NEMA) were on ground.
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