PFN Calls For Investigation Into Ibadan Explosion

Pentecostal Fellowship of Nigeria (PFN) has lamented the devastating impacts of the explosion that rocked Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, on Tuesday evening.

PFN president, Bishop Francis Wale Oke who paid a visit to Adeyi Street, Bodija, Ibadan where the tragedy occurred around 3:30pm on Thursday, expressed grief over the level of devastation that claimed some lives and properties with more than 50 people injured.

On ground to receive the PFN President were Prof. Temitope Alonge, Chairman, Oyo State Covid-19 Taskforce; Commissioner for Health, Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi; Special Adviser to Governor Seyi Makinde on Security Matters, Fatai Owoseni; and a Director of the Federal Road Safety Commission coordinating the recovery efforts.

The clergyman, who is the Presiding Bishop of Sword of The Spirit Ministries, described the incident as extremely sad and grievous, praying that God may heal the wounds of the affected residents and give the state government the wisdom, courage and resources to address the situation.

Wale Oke who was accompanied to the epicenter of the blast by the Presiding Bishop of Victory International Church Worldwide, Bishop Taiwo Adelakun; and many other Pastors in the PFN, stated “In all things, it is just and good to give thanks to God”.

He stressed that in good times and bad times, all humans must acknowledge the mightiness of the creator.

He expressed reservations on the decision of the mining company to store explosives at residential areas, saying that the accident that happened could have been averted if greater value was accorded to human lives.

The PFN president called on the security agencies to keep track of activities of the miners and borehole as well as well diggers in the state in a bid to avert a recurrence.

He appealed to the state and federal governments to rise to the occasion by giving necessary support to the affected families and businesses in the area and also advised that full safety protocols should be deployed in order to mitigate both the immediate and remote impacts of the explosion on human lives and the environment.