Tag: Ibadan explosion

The chairman of the House of Representatives (Reps) committee on ICT, Stanley Olajide, said on Wednesday, January 17, that the House was committed to passing a bill that will ensure state and community policing as part of ongoing efforts aimed at tackling the ravaging insecurity across the country.

Speaking at a news conference in Abuja, Olajide who represented Ibadan North West/South West of Oyo state, said community policing will help eliminate issues of insecurity currently on the increase in the country.

He said: “Community policing is actually one of the smartest ways to police your people. If somebody sees something somebody knows something, they need to speak at the right time.

“Failure to do so will cause a situation like this (explosion in Ibadan). So, we are going to reopen that. Remember that we’ve also been talking about State Police, we’ll be talking about Community Police.

“So, I think you know situation like this would actually present an urgency to the matter, so we can get the right support needed to pass whatever legislation that we need to pass for this.

“So we’re going to pick this up and it’s going to be on the front burner of the activities of the House as soon as we reconvene as a House.”

Olajide, who spoke on Tuesday night’s explosion, applauded the prompt response of Oyo state governor, Seyi Makinde and all First Responders while stating that efforts are ongoing to nip the situation in the board.

He said: “We woke up to a very horrific situation in Ibadan which happened around 8 pm last night. From information gathered so far coming from the office of the Governor of Oyo State, who I must also commend immensely for his rapid response to the situation.

“The dynamite or explosive detonated and we understand that there was loss of lives. I do not want to speculate on the number of lives yet, because I don’t have those firm numbers yet. But we do know that there are casualties.

“From the Office of the Governor, we also understand that a lot of people are in the hospitals receiving treatment and the Governor has actually made commitments to make sure that everybody is taken care of to get the first-class medical treatment that they deserve and they are going to get.

“I want to commend the First Responders NEMA, the Police, DSS and all the emergency responders that have responded to this urgent call.

“At this point, that area remains a crime scene, which means we have to work with law enforcement to preserve the integrity of that area. I was going there this morning, but was advised against it because if we go there, we will also be part of the problem if we go there, while the whole area has been cordoned off.

“So, at this point, we’ll let the first responders and all of the security, medical agencies on rescue missions, we’ll let them go through their work. And then we’ll now go there condone with our people and also offer the relief materials because when you have a situation like this.

“I have spoken to the Speaker of the House of Representatives, Tajudeen Abass. He also has offered his condolences to the people of Ibadan and Oyo State at large and has mandated me to also go ahead and do more fact-finding and present that to him at the end of today so that we can figure out what kind of materials is needed for our people so that we can actually come up with some kind of relief for our people.

“It’s unfortunate, but the information that we got is that one of these illegal miners actually was in possession of this explosive in a residential area, which eventually caused this disaster. But we will find out more information.”

While commending Governor Makinde for his timely response yet, Olajide said: “Let me also use this opportunity to commend Governor Makinde to quickly actually nip this in the bud that okay, yes, I find that credible information to even isolate these two illegal miners. I must commend him, he’s the Chief Security Officer of the State, and I’m sure he has security reports that are going to drive him.

“You can be rest assured that we are going to look our hands will be on that. Part Two of my report to the Speaker will also be to recommend some of the short-term or long-term suggestions on how we’re going to tackle this. We’re in the preliminary stages.

“I don’t want us to put the cart before the horse we are going to unravel so many things. There could be even more to all of this. So, let’s not act as if we know all the details yet. But based on the information we know today, we know that we have a lot of work to do.

“We are going to cooperate with the State Governor, and the House of Representatives will offer all the support needed so that we can move Nigeria forward and also for Nigeria to use what has happened in Ibadan as a lesson learned so that this will not happen anywhere in Nigeria.

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“This means also, the control of explosives, if you have this kind of explosive that could do this much damage, that means that this thing is read relatively available in the hands of the wrong people. So, we also have to look at how these things are stored. And so we’re going to take a holistic approach to all of this.

On his part, Hon. Ademorin Kuye expressed condolence to the Government of Oyo State and the families of the victims.

He said: “I just want to once again join my colleagues to commiserate with the people who have lost a lot in this act of criminality by illegal miners. And I particularly have to come because Ibadan is like my second home. I studied in Ibadan when it was in Oyo State.

“I just want to further reiterate the position of my colleague, that there is a need for fiscal federalism and that can lead cause quickly to having State police. I believe that the President that we have as campaign based on these promises and I know that he’s going to work with the National Assembly to ensure that we have State Police very, very soon.”

Management of Redeemer’s Health Centre, Ibadan, says it has so far received 12 victims of Tuesday’s Bodija explosion.

The centre’s Clinical Director, Dr Bello Zion, made the disclosure while speaking with the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) on Wednesday.

NAN reports that an explosion had occurred on Tuesday evening at Bodija area of Ibadan metropolis, throwing the residents into panic.

No fewer than three persons were to have died and 77 injured, with some of the victis being treated at University College Hospital (UCH) and other private health facilities across the city.

The clinical director said that six out of the 12 victims of the explosion received by the hospital were in stable condition and had been discharged.

“Two of the victims are in critical condition and one of them has been transferred to University College Hospital (UCH) for further treatment.

“Other victims are in stable condition and responding to treatment,” he said.

One of the victims at the hospital, Abdullah Malik, said he was on his way home at a junction close to his house when the blast threw him off.

Malik said that a good Samaritan took him to the hospital, as he could not move his body immediately after the incident.

NAN reports that the explosion also affected part of ACE Mall at Bodija, leaving in it’s trail a collapsed POP ceiling as well as shattered doors and windows.

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

The mall’s security man told NAN that some people were also injured at the mall due to the explosion.

NAN also observed that no fewer than 10 cars were destroyed, with about 30 houses at different degrees of damage.

The presence of security agents also prevented breakdown of law and order, while an excavator was seen at work.

While some house owners were seen packing their belongings from the rubbles, an eyewitness said that two bodies were evacuated and one other person rescued beneath the debris.

The lifeless body of a security dog was seen on the ground in an area close to the explosion.

(NAN)

The explosion, which occurred at Bodija area of Ibadan on Tuesday evening, destroyed some office buildings and other structures within the State Secretariat Complex, Agodi, the News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports.

A NAN 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.

NAN observed shattered window glasses and doors, collapsed ceilings and 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 close of work.

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

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, 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.

NAN reports that the situation room is charged with the responsibility of coordinating the ongoing response to the incident.
NAN also reports that 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. (NAN)

The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) has said that over 20 residences were affected by the explosion that shook Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, on Tuesday night.

However, NEMA stated in a statement on Wednesday, January 17, that it did not have information on the number of casualties involved.

It also disclosed that the explosion was most likely triggered by an improvised explosive device (IED).

The agency said: “Over 20 houses were affected. Casualty figures cannot be ascertained for now. Search and rescue operation is still ongoing.”

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

It also reassured state residents, stating that “the situation has been brought under control while arrangements are going on to ensure smooth operation,” and that security has been increased in the region while plans are underway for additional support to help with the activities.

The impact of the explosion that occurred in the Adeyi area of Bodija, Ibadan on the night of Tuesday, January 17, extended to the Oyo State Government Secretariat in Agodi.

Some glass windows of the Governor’s office were shattered, including those in the governor’s private office and hallways, were affected by the force of the explosion.

The incident also damaged a section of the glass window in the Governor’s Press Crew office.

 Also, various Ministries, such as Information and Orientation, Youths and Sports, Environment, and Natural Resources, experienced destruction, with numerous glass windows and doors being shattered in the process.

A small area of the Oyo State Civil Service Commission and the Management Information Centre at the entrance of the Governor’s Office have parts of the roofs of the building destroyed, aside from shattered glass windows, doors and louvres.

Read Also: Ibadan explosion: Sanwo-Olu extends condolence to Makinde

Other with more serious effects include the Water Cooperation Building which houses other ministries, the State Secretariat Central Mosque, the Secretariat Chapel, the Revenue House, the newly built and yet-to-be-commissioned Local Government Service House, and the Local Government Staff Training School.

Glasses were shattered on the floor, ceilings were forced down, doors were forcefully opened and damaged, and likewise, Computer Systems were also affected in some offices.

Some members of staff who could not sit in their office due to damages caused by the explosion were seen in groups discussing the unfortunate incident.

An anonymous staff member of the Revenue House office, who spoke with The Nation described the incident as drastically, hoping that the affected properties would soon be fixed by the state government.

As at the time of this report, some staff were seen engaging in clearing the mess as they reported for duty Wednesday morning.

Sen. Sharafadeen Alli (APC-Oyo South) and a former Senate Leader, Sen. Teslim Folarin, have described the explosion that rocked some parts of Ibadan on Tuesday night as devastating and unfortunate.

The duo, in their separate reactions on Wednesday in Ibadan, called for indepth investigations into the incident.

The News Agency of Nigeria (NAN) reports that a loud bang was heard, with its attendant vibration felt in several locations in Ibadan at about 7:45 p.m. on Tuesday night, the cause of which, as at press time, had not yet to be ascertained.

No fewer than three persons were said to have died, 77 injured and six houses destroyed during the incident that occurred at Dejo Oyeleye Street, Adeyi Avenue, in Bodija area of the city.

Alli, in a statement issued by his Special Adviser on Media, Mr Akeem Abas, expressed condolences and heartfelt sympathy to the families of the dead and those who sustained injuries.

The lawmaker said he was deeply saddened by the loss of lives and the devastation caused by the unfortunate incident.

“There is the need for urgent support and assistance to the affected families during this difficult time,” he said.

Alli called on relevant government agencies, emergency responders and community leaders to collaborate in providing immediate relief and necessary resources to the victims and their families.

Alli also urged government to conduct thorough investigations into the cause(s) of the explosion to prevent future occurrences and ensure the safety of residents in the area.

He emphasised the importance of implementing stringent safety measures and regulations to prevent such incidents and protect the lives and property of the people.

The lawmaker encouraged the affected families to stay strong and resilient in the face of the tragedy.

He assured that he would work with relevant authorities to ensure that justice was served and necessary measures taken to prevent similar incidents in the future.

Alli called on the entire community to come together in support of the affected families, offering prayers, comfort and any other possible assistance.

He urged everyone to prioritise safety and remain vigilant to prevent any further tragedy.

The lawmaker said that together, as a united community, they could overcome this difficult time and come out stronger than before.

Similarly, Folarin, the APC governorship candidate in the 2023 general elections in Oyo State, in a statement, expressed grief over the explosion and sympathised with the victims.

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

The statement read in part: “My attention has been drawn to a deadly explosion that rocked some areas of Ibadan on Tuesday night.

“I reliably gathered that lives were lost, several injured and property worth billions of naira were lost as a result of the explosion.

“My thoughts and prayers are with the bereaved families, and other victims of the deadly explosion.

“I also sympathise with the people and Oyo State Government over the tragic incident.

“I urge for calm among the residents of the affected areas while we await outcome of the constituted authorities’ full investigations into the remote and immediate causes of the explosion.”

He prayed to God to comfort all those who were affected, directly and indirectly, by the incident. (NAN

Lagos State governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu has extended his condolences to Governor Seyi Makinde and the people of Oyo state over the tragic explosion which happened in Ibadan on Tuesday, January 16.

Sanwo-Olu expressed this on his official x page earlier on Thursday, January 17, 2023.

He wrote: “I’m sending heartfelt condolences to Governor Seyi Makinde and the people of Oyo State on the tragic Ibadan explosion.

“My thoughts are with the families of the victims. This is a disheartening incident that calls for unity and support in these challenging times.

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

“Commendable efforts by Governor Makinde for the swift response and deployment of first responders in the wake of the disaster. The collaboration of agencies and rescue operations is crucial.

“The people of Lagos stand in solidarity with our brothers and sisters in Oyo State, and we are ready to provide any support required during these times.”