Tragedy struck Ibadan city on Monday night as an explosion claimed the lives of two people and injured 77 others.
The blast, which the government said was caused by a cache of explosives stored by illegal miners, ripped through the Bodija area and surrounding environs, leaving residents reeling from the shock and devastation.
A man whose mother’s home was destroyed told the BBC she was in bed at the time of the blast and is now in hospital.
“The roof and everything went down. She was inside in her bed when it happened. She was rushed to the hospital naked and I’m going there now,” he said.
Buildings have been reduced to near rubble at the site of the blast and vehicles destroyed. Further away from the blast zone, windows have been blown out of houses and rooftops damaged.
“Illegal miners”
Governor Seyi Makinde visited the scene on Tuesday, assessing the damage and offering support to the victims. “The explosion, which occurred at around 7:44 p.m., was caused by illegal miners occupying a residential building,” he said. “Preliminary investigations reveal they had stored explosive devices there, leading to the blast.”
The governor assured swift action: “Investigations are ongoing,” he stated, “and anyone found involved will be held accountable.” He urged residents to remain calm and cooperate with authorities by calling 615 for emergencies and avoiding the immediate area to allow rescue operations to proceed smoothly.
The blast’s impact left a trail of 77 injured, some requiring treatment but later discharged. Makinde pledged government support for all victims: “Medical bills will be covered, and temporary accommodation will be provided for those whose houses were affected,” he declared, offering additional support for rebuilding efforts.
At the Redeemer’s Health Centre, the clinical director, Bello Zion, said 12 injured people were brought in, of which two were in critical condition while six were in stable condition and had been discharged.
The News Agency of Nigeria reported that at least 10 cars and 30 houses were damaged by the explosion.
Discover more from Pluboard
Subscribe to get the latest posts sent to your email.