Oyo State government says the death toll from the Tuesday’s explosion in Ibadan, the state capital, has increased to five.
The special adviser to the governor on security matters, Fatai Owoseni, revealed yesterday that two more bodies had been recovered from the site of the scene.
He said the state government had continued to monitor and respond to the situation as investigations into the cause of the explosion were underway.
“Rescue operation is still ongoing. As of yesterday, we had three casualties but this morning, just about 30 minutes ago, I got information from the security operatives supporting the medical team that two more dead bodies were recovered .
Residents of Adeyi Avenue, Bodija, Ibadan, Oyo State, have blamed Malian illegal miners for the explosion which rocked the city on Tuesday night.
This is just as President Tinubu, on Wednesday, called on the relevant government agencies to “fish out” and “punish” those responsible for what he called “reckless behaviour” that triggered a devastating blast in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital on Tuesday.
He expressed sadness over the incident he described as worrisome.
However, the settlers say the blast was heard and felt kilometres away in many parts of the city.’’
Makinde said preliminary investigations by security agencies revealed that the blast was triggered by illegal miners occupying one of the houses in the Bodija area of the ancient city.
Meanwhile, Governor Seyi Makinde has said the state had identified the company which stored the explosive device that wreaked havoc in the state capital on Tuesday evening.
Addressing the newsmen in Ibadan yesterday, the governor, who reeled out various medical and security measures the state had embarked upon to ensure safety of lives and property, said the culprit will be brought to justice.
