Tag: Ibadan explosion

As residents of Bodija in Ibadan and environs continue to count their losses over the devastating explosions which ravaged their communities on Tuesday, January 16, the All Progressives Congress (APC) in Oyo state has demanded thorough investigations to unravel the cause of the incident and the culprits behind it.

Fear gripped most parts of Ibadan throughout the wee hours of Tuesday and the whole of Wednesday when news filtered in that multiple explosions had occurred in some residential areas in the state capital.

It was later discovered that the incident claimed some lives while an unspecified number of people were critically injured in addition to incalculable damage done to buildings and vehicles.

In a statement issued on Wednesday by its publicity secretary, Olawale Sadare, Oyo APC queried Governor Seyi Makinde on the efficacy of his efforts on security “when no intelligence report could be obtained on the activities of some custodians of weapons of mass weapons right behind the Office of the governor until they succeeded in destroying lives and properties of the innocent people.

Oyo APC stated: “It was an emergency situation and the whole city had been thrown into palpable fear since the social media has been littered with rumours and half-truths.

“So, the governor should have admitted that he failed in the area of security because a proactive and efficient security architecture would not give room for such devastating explosions right behind the Governor’s Office. Who are the illegal miners who live and keep bombs in a high-brow area such as Bodija without the knowledge of the powers-that-be?

“The unfortunate incident also exposed the state government as lacking the capacity to offer a quick and efficient response to emergency situations because we all saw what happened as only the federal government-funded agencies and some private organizations were able to act well to rescue many people who were trapped in the rubbles of collapsed structures.

Read Also: Ibadan explosion: Kalu, Akobundu condole Makinde, Oyo residents

“We therefore urge Gov. Makinde to prioritize training of officials on emergency and rescue operations, purchase of relevant equipment and fortification of the state Department of Fire Service for obvious reasons.

“As much as we are saddened by the development, we sympathize with all the victims of the disaster especially those who lost their loved ones and others whose valued properties and vehicles got destroyed.

“Lastly, we call on both the federal government and the PDP administration in the state to carry out independent investigations with a view to getting to the bottom of what led to the lethal explosions as well as those responsible for it and also ensure that all culprits are brought to justice.”

Former governor of Abia state and chairman of the Senate Committee on Privatization, Orji Kalu, on Thursday, January 18, described Tuesday’s explosion in Ibadan as sad and devastating.

Senator Austin Akobundu (PDP-Abia Central) also sympathised with Governor Seyi Makinde and the people of Oyo state over the unfortunate incident.

Kalu commiserated with the families of the departed souls while wishing hospitalized victims speedy recovery.

The former governor who expressed sadness over the painful incident, which was attributed to the activities of illegal miners, urged the government to commence a full-scale investigation into the sad development in a bid to forestall future occurrences.

Kalu in a statement in Abuja prayed for the repose of the departed souls.

Read Also: Group hails Tinubu on pipeline contract renewal

He said: “I received with shock the news of the explosion in Ibadan on Tuesday. It is depressing considering the lives that were lost and the injured victims. The government must bring to book the perpetrators of the ugly incident in order to prevent future occurrences.

“My prayers and thoughts are with the families of the departed souls. I also wish the hospitalized victims a quick recovery.”

The former governor, who is also Ashipa Seriki Mayegun of Ibadanland, urged the government of Oyo state to work with appropriate authorities at the federal level in bringing succour to the victims of the tragic incident.

On his part, Senator Akobundu in a statement, said: “I convey my heartfelt commiserations and that of the people of Abia Central Senatorial District to His Excellency, Governor Seyi Makinde, the Government and people of Oyo State over the tragic explosion in Bodija area of Ibadan, Oyo State capital.

“I was shocked by the news of the blast which claimed the lives of citizens, injured and rendered many homeless and devastated, following the death of their loved ones and destruction of their homes and other property in the area.

“Such tragic incident is shattering especially at this critical time when families are struggling to survive the harsh economic situation in the country.

“I commend Governor Makinde for his characteristic people-first response in immediately visiting the scene of the incident and providing assistance and comfort to the victims through prompt evacuation, payment of medical bills for the wounded, emergency accommodation for the displaced, and guaranteed government support to all those affected by the blast.

“Equally commendable is Governor Makinde’s proactive steps for inquiries into the cause of the explosion so as to bring the culprits to book and ensure that such disaster does not reoccur in the State.

“Governor Makinde and the people of Oyo State are in my thoughts and prayers at this moment as we pray for the peaceful repose of the souls of those who lost their lives in the explosion, speedy recovery for the wounded, and God’s consolation to the displaced and all those affected in the unfortunate incident.”

The level of fatalities at the scene of the explosion at Bodija, Ibadan has risen to three.

However, the number of those who sustained various degrees of injuries is still put at 77.

Governor Seyi Makinde of Oyo state gave the update during a Press briefing attended by members of the Emergency Medical Team set up by the state government following the incident which occurred Tuesday night.

Read Also: Ibadan explosion: Tinubu directs NEMA to provide support, condones Makinde, Oyo people

Members of the team in attendance at the briefing include Professor Temitope Alonge (Team lead), Special Adviser (Security) Compol Fatai Owoseni (rtd), the Commissioner of Police, Oyo Command, Adebola Hamzat; and Garrison Commander, 2Div Nigerian Army.

The Oyo state government has moved homeless victims of Tuesday night’s explosion at Bodija Estate to Calton Gate and Palms 77 hotels located in the Agodi area of Ibadan.

The governor, Seyi Makinde visited the hotels Wednesday afternoon as well as the scene of the explosion.

This is just as the government has set up an Emergency Situation Hub to collate and coordinate the management of victims affected by the explosion that rocked Ibadan last night.

A statement issued by the Commissioner for Information and Orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, on Wednesday, January 17, explained that anyone who is affected can go to the premises of the Housing Corporation, Bodija, Ibadan.

The Commissioner, who said the situation hub is headed by the Deputy Governor, Barrister Bayo Lawal, also advised victims to submit verifiable evidence of their losses and seek clarifications on the nature of government intervention.

The statement said that temporary accommodation has been organised by the government for those displaced as a result of the explosion, while the state government will also finance the hospital bills of those injured.

Read Also: PHOTOS: Ibadan Explosion: Agodi secretariat suffer damages

The commissioner confirmed that several victims have started registering at the hub, and are being put through by emergency and disaster experts.

The commissioner said that as a result of new evidence, the government is interrogating certain leads that suggest the storage of explosives by illegal miners residing in the area.

During his visit to the scene Tuesday night, Makinde implored residents of Oyo State to be more sensitive to the goings-on in their environment.

“If you see something, say something” the Governor stressed.

President Bola Tinubu has directed the deployment of the officials of the National Emergency Management Authority to provide support and assistance to the victims of the explosion that rocked the Bodija area of Ibadan, the Oyo state capital city.

This is as he declares support for the state government in providing help and assistance to help in the recovery process.

Read Also: Ibadan explosion: 12 victims hospitalised at Redeemer’s Health Centre

Oyo state governor Seyi Makinde gave the revelation during a press conference at the Press Briefing Room of the Governor’s Office, State Secretariat, Agodi Ibadan on Wednesday, January 17.

Speaking, Governor Makinde who said he received the personal phone call of the President on the matter also noted the sympathy of Mr President to the government and people of the state.

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 News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that the explosion occured at 7.30p.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.

Read Also: Ibadan explosion: 12 victims hospitalised at Redeemer’s Health Centre

“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.

(NAN)

Drone shots capturing site, effects of Ibadan explosion

Source: James Igbasan

Read Also: Ibadan explosion: Two die, 77 injured, says Makinde

Ogun state governor, Prince Dapo Abiodun, has described Tuesday’s explosion in Ibadan, Oyo state, as a monumental tragedy.

In a condolence message to his Oyo state counterpart, Governor Seyi Makinde, the government and the people of the state, Prince Abiodun regretted that the wanton loss of lives and the destruction of properties was due to neglect and criminality.

The governor praised the swift response of the Oyo State government, which promptly dispatched first responders to the scene, thereby saving more lives.

This was just as he expressed absolute confidence that the Oyo state government would ensure that the perpetrators of the dastardly act were apprehended and prosecuted, saying that the government was on top of the situation.

He said: “I extend my deepest condolences to the government and the people of Oyo State following the tragic explosion that occurred in Ibadan on Tuesday.

Read Also: Ibadan explosion: 12 victims hospitalised at Redeemer’s Health Centre

“Our hearts go out to the families who lost their loved ones and those who were injured in this devastating incident. We stand in solidarity with the people of Oyo State during this difficult time and offer our full support in the recovery and rebuilding efforts.

“The quick response by the state government, no doubt, saved more lives, and this is commendable.

“May the souls of the departed rest in peace, and may the injured find strength and healing. Together, we will overcome this tragedy and emerge stronger.”

Abiodun added that Ibadan is strategic to every Yoruba person given its historic importance, adding that the governments of the South-West states would not be deterred by the tragic incident, but would “jointly intensify security across our states to ensure that our people are safe and secure.”

The public relations officer of the University College Hospital (UCH) Ibadan, Mrs Obafunmilayo Adetuyibi on Wednesday, January 17, said 11 victims were brought to the hospital alive, while another one is currently at the Intensive Care Unit (ICU) of the hospital.

She said the victims who sustained various injuries were responding to treatment while five of those who sustained minor injuries had been discharged.

Meanwhile, a statement by the Chief Medical Director of UCH, Prof. Jesse Otegbayo, indicated that a trauma response team has been activated to ensure that every patient receives prompt and compassionate care.

Read Also: Offices, buildings destroyed by Ibadan explosion at Oyo Govt. secretariat

The statement said that the hospital also had a lot of its facilities damaged by the effects of the blast such as the Medical Museum, School of Nursing, Molecular Laboratory, Bulk Store, Ogunlesi Hall, and Hospital Clinics, among others.

It seeks the help of well-meaning individuals and corporate organizations to come to its aid to be able to sustain and upscale healthcare delivery at this time and beyond.