GLITZ TV
Ibadan, the capital city of Oyo State in South West Nigeria, was gripped by fear on Tuesday night following a massive explosion that struck the city. The blast, which occurred on Adeyi Avenue in the Bodija Estate area, reverberated across multiple locations within a 15-kilometer radius.
Reports from local sources indicate that Ologuneru, Apete, New Garage, Bashorun, Akobo, Sango, and Eleyele were among the areas affected by the explosion. Numerous videos capturing the aftermath of the incident have circulated on social media, offering different accounts of the event and highlighting the extent of the damage caused.
In one video, an eyewitness stated that houses and cars situated far from the explosion site were also severely impacted by the blast. “We heard a loud bang around 7:30 p.m. Dominos scattered, Ace Mall in Bodija destroyed,” the witness recounted.
As of Tuesday night, the police were unable to confirm the exact cause of the explosion. Wale Osifeso, the spokesperson for the Oyo State Police Command, informed BBC News Pidgin that the explosion occurred around 7:44 p.m. on Dejo Oyelese Street in Bodija.
“The cause of the explosion is unknown. The number of casualties, dead, and injured is yet to be ascertained as the search is ongoing,” Osifeso stated.
Dr. Chinonso Egemba, a Nigerian medical doctor and social media influencer, called on medical personnel in Ibadan and nearby areas to mobilize to Adeyi Avenue in Bodija to provide assistance to the victims of the explosion. “If you are a medical personnel in Ibadan & nearby, please, your help & assistance is needed at Adeyi Avenue, Bodija. There are casualties. Please help RT,” tweeted Dr. Chinonso, using the handle @aproko_doctor.
The National Emergency Management Agency (NEMA) announced that all relevant government agencies have been alerted to participate in rescue operations. In an update posted on Facebook by the South West Zonal Office, they stated, “The police, DSS, Civil Defence, Red Cross, Fire Service, including the local security outfit, Amotekun, will be involved in the operations, which will commence on Wednesday morning.”
Late into the night, Oyo State Governor Seyi Makinde attributed the explosion to criminal activities. Governor Makinde revealed that two people had died, and 77 others sustained injuries based on the information he had received. He made these remarks while leading government officials to the scene of the incident, which had plunged the state into chaos.
Governor Makinde further stated that the explosion had resulted in deaths and injuries among the state residents. He assured the deployment of relevant agencies to initiate rescue operations, adding, “In total, 77 injured victims have been treated so far. There have been two deaths, and may their souls rest in peace.”
The governor also pledged that the government would cover the medical expenses of those affected and provide temporary accommodation for individuals whose homes had been destroyed.
