President Bola Tinubu has expressed sadness over Tuesday’s explosion in Ibadan, the Oyo State capital, saying those responsible for the incident must be identified and punished.

No fewer than three persons were reported to have died and 77 others were injured in the explosion that occurred in the Bodija area of Ibadan.

The explosion destroyed at least 10 cars and left about 30 houses at different stages of destruction. It also affected some structures at the state government secretariat.

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

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Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, later said the incident was caused by illegal miners who stored explosive devices in one of the buildings in Bodija.

However, President Tinubu, in a statement issued by his spokesman, Ajuri Ngelale, commiserated with Oyo State and called on relevant agencies of government to unravel the circumstances leading to the explosion.

“It is worrisome that the cause of the blast is being attributed to activities of illegal miners.

“Those behind the inexcusable and reckless behaviour that created the conditions for the sad incident to occur must be fished out and punished,” Ngelale quoted Tinubu as saying.

The president also directed the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) to work with the Oyo State Government to offer immediate and comprehensive relief to the victims.

The Star