Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, says no fewer than three corpses have been recovered at the scene of Tuesday’s explosion in Ibadan, the state capital.
Makinde made the disclosure while addressing journalists in Ibadan on Wednesday, January 17, 2024.
The governor, who enjoined the people of the state to remain calm over the explosion, said his government would do everything possible to provide succour to everyone affected by the incident.
He said two corpses were recovered on Tuesday night, while one corpse was recovered on Wednesday morning, adding that a total of 77 people were injured in the blast.
Makinde said a rescue operation was still ongoing at the scene of the incident, noting that his government has provided alternative accommodations for residents of the affected buildings.
The governor urged anyone still staying in houses within 250 metres from the scene of the explosion to move out to the accommodation provided by the government until the structural integrity of the buildings was checked.
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“Since yesterday, security agencies, emergency services and other relevant agencies have been working diligently on search-and-rescue operations,” Makinde stated.
He also warned hoodlums who might want to take advantage of the incident to carry out any form of looting to desist.
Makinde further stated that he had received information regarding the company that was using the building to store explosives.
The governor assured all that all those who were involved directly or indirectly in bringing the tragedy to the state would be brought to book.
He thanked President Bola Tinubu for showing concern over the incident, adding that the president had called him and symphatised with the people of the state.
Makinde said: “The president approved the presence of the National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) at the scene of the explosion.
“He also gave his condolences to the people that have lost their loved ones to the unfortunate incident and gave his assurance that he is with us at this trying period.”
The governor, therefore, admonished the people of the state to refrain from spreading fake news and misinformation regarding the explosion which he said could cause panic.
Meanwhile, the Director-General of NEMA, Mustapha Ahmed, has disclosed that 58 buildings were damaged by the explosion.
Ahmed said this in a chat with newsmen at the emergency situation centre set up by the Oyo State Government.
The NEMA boss, who maintained that keeping explosive materials within residential areas was illegal, urged people to always provide information to security and other relevant agencies if they suspected anything harmful within their environment.
He described the Bodija explosion as unfortunate, saying NEMA and other relevant agencies would continue with the rescue operations.
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