Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, says 90 per cent of those injured in last Tuesday’s explosion in Ibadan, the state capital, have been discharged from various hospitals.

Makinde stated that death toll from the incident was still five, adding that the state’s emergency operations team headed by the Commissioner for Health, Dr Oluwaserimi Ajetunmobi, were at two of the hospitals attending to victims, until Saturday, January 20, 2024.

The governor made the disclosure in a statement on Sunday, January 21.

The Star had reported that five persons died, while 77 others were injured in the explosion which occurred in the Bodija area of Ibadan.

The impact of the explosion was said to have been felt as far away as 15km from the scene of the blast.

The explosion affected some structures at the state government secretariat and many other structures in the adjoining areas.

However, Governor Makinde, while giving an update on the incident on Sunday, said: “I commend our security agencies in Oyo State who have been maintaining law and order in around Bodija this week as well as residents who have been complying with directives from these officers.

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“Yesterday (Saturday), the medical team at the Emergency Operations Centre and the Honourable Commissioner for Health, visited two of the hospitals where victims from the incident were taken and over 90% of the victims have been discharged. The death toll from the incident currently stands at five persons.

“The clinical psychologist has commenced counselling for victims of the incident at the Emergency Operations Centre in Ibadan.

“The operations at Ground Zero have moved from search and rescue to recovery. Let me use this opportunity to thank the Nigerian Society of Engineers who have been carrying out structural integrity tests on about 230 properties around the site of the explosion; 13 houses within 50 metres radius of the blast site, 40 houses at 100 metres radius; 122 houses at 200 metres radius and 53 houses within a 250 metres radius.”

Makinde, who expressed gratitude to Lagos State Governor, Babajide Sanwo-Olu, for releasing the officers of the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) to support Oyo State, said security agencies were still investigating the explosion, adding that an update on their investigation would be made public.

He stated: “We are also grateful to my brother, Governor BabaJide Sanwo-Olu for releasing the Lagos State Emergency Management Agency (LASEMA) to support us, and for the assistance offered by the team led by Engineer Olatunde Akinsanya, the Director of Operations.

“The security agencies are still investigating the incident and an update on their investigation will be publicised.

“Our administration remains committed to supporting all victims of this unfortunate incident and ensuring that everyone responsible is brought to book.

“Please contact the Emergency Operations Centre on 07049948057 or 08147672009 for any issues related to the Bodija Incident.”

The Star