January 17, 2024 NewsOrient
News Update
By Uche Udude

“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.”

This is how Oyo State Governor, Seyi Makinde, explained the cause of the blast that claimed almost 10 lives, left over 70 others severely injured and destroyed choice properties at Bodija area of Ibadan, the state capital on Tuesday night.

Governor Makinde gave the explanation through his X handle (formerly Twitter).

Makinde, who visited the scene of the explosion in the late hours of Wednesday, said investigations are still ongoing, and warned that at the end of the investigations, “those found culpable would be brought to book.”

While some reports said no fewer than 10 people died as a result of the blast and that over 70 others were hospitalised, Makinde put the number of people so far dead as a result of the explosion at “two and 77 overs injured.”

Amongst choice property affected by the explosion are: “a section of the Governor’s Office, Secretariat, Oyo State House of Assembly and the residence of the former Attorney General and Minister of Justice, late Chief Bola Ige.

Photo Credit: Punch Newspaper

~ NewsOrient