Fear grips residents as explosion destroys houses, kills many in Ibadan
By Adeola Badru, Ibadan
A bomb explosion around Old Bodija, off Adeyi area of Ibadan, yesterday, left several houses destroyed leaving an unspecified number of persons dead and many injured.
The cause of the incident which occurred about a few minutes after 8 pm on Tuesday, is yet to be ascertained as of press time but a source told Vanguard that the bomb blast occurred in one of the buildings in the area.
Vanguard learned that several persons are still trapped under rubble in some of the houses destroyed while both injured and dead bodies have been taken to major hospitals in the ancient city.
Security operatives comprising the army and the police anti-bomb units have been deployed to affected areas while search and rescue operations are still ongoing.
Meanwhile, residents of the state have been urged to remain calm as the state government has taken full control of the situation.
A statement from the State Commissioner For Information, Prince Dotun Oyelade reads: “Residents of Ibadan and immediate environ experienced an uncommon explosion about 8pm this evening.”
“There are various interpretations of the incident but it is important for us to state categorically that the state government has taken over and in the full control of the unfortunate occurrence in in order to mitigate the incident.”
“All security service chiefs including para military chiefs and Fire Operatives have been deployed by the governor to Reign in the spillover from the explosion.”
“His Excellency Governor Seyi Makinde, therefore, implores citizens to calm down and be rest assured that their interests are being looked after.
