Efforts to locate survivors are escalating at the site of the explosion in Ibadan, the capital of Oyo State, which occurred on Tuesday evening, resulting in two fatalities and 77 injuries. Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde, who visited the scene, confirmed the casualties.
The explosion, according to Makinde, took place at Adeyi Avenue, Bodija, resonating across various areas of the city.
The governor stated that initial investigations by security agencies indicated that the blast was a consequence of illegal mining activities taking place in one of the residences in Bodija.
He said: ‘‘Preliminary investigations by the security agencies revealed that illegal miners occupying one of the houses in Bodija had stored explosive devices there which caused the blast. The investigations are ongoing. All those found culpable for this will be brought to book.”
The governor also disclosed that he directed that the medical bills of all victims of the explosion be covered by the government with temporary accommodation provided for those whose houses were affected by the explosion.
