An explosion in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, has caused panic among the residents.
The explosion, which some residents said occurred in Bodija, reportedly affected several houses in multiple locations.
Some X users said the explosion was devastating.
One of them, @WillieWinehouse tweeted, “A f***ing bomb just exploded in Ibadan! My entire house and street are in ruins!! What is going on!!”
Another resident of Barika, about 15 minutes away from the scene, Motunrayo Adegboro, said, “Some people claimed it was a gas explosion while others said it was a filling station.
“It happened in Bodija. A mall, Ace Mall, even collapsed.
The explosion was heard in some parts of the city, including Oke Itunu, Bodija, Omi Adio, Apete, University College Hospital (UCH), Mokola and Idi Isin.
Reacting to the incident last night, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde called for calm.
The state commissioner for information and orientation, Prince Dotun Oyelade, who confirmed the incident, said residents of Ibadan and the immediate environs experienced an uncommon explosion about 8:00 pm.
He said there were various interpretations of the incident but it was important for “us to state categorically that the state government has taken over and in full control of the unfortunate occurrence in order to mitigate the incident.
“All security service chiefs including para military chiefs and Fire Operatives have been deployed by the governor to Reign in the spillover from the explosion.
“His Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde therefore implores citizens to calm down and be rest assured that their interests are being looked after”.
As of the time of filing this report, the number of casualties had not been established, but a viral video showed a lifeless body at the scene.
Meanwhile, the Yoruba Youths Socio-cultural Association (YYSA) has called on the state government to ban borehole drilling in the state.
The association’s national president, Olalekan Hammed said following the terrible explosion that occurred in Ibadan, both the federal and state governments should ban or restrict the construction of boreholes in order to prevent future occurrence of earthquakes.
According to him, it is evident if such a step is not taken there is fire on the mountain.
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